s37 Onward Time Flies

The wind, the wind, streaming through Garnet's mane, and rushing in his face. He could smell salty horse perspiration, feel the smooth roughness of the horse's coat, and hear his hooves beating on the ground as he ate up the furlongs.

"Easy now," he gave a slight tug at the reins as a signal. "Easy now," he felt a slackening of Garnet's pace. They came to a stop at the end of the road. "Good run, boy," he caressed and patted the horse's neck. "Sure gonna be hard to turn you back to Mr. Goodnite," he said with regret. He thought on the hours he and Garnet had spent in training. "You're sure a good ole horse," he sighed with a final pat.

Mitch and Ike Stroll rode up alongside Albert Bluey.

"Betcha our ponies could out run your ol' mare, Albert." The Stroll boys were always looking for a race. Their ponies could almost fly, and they were always looking for a new match. Albert's family had just moved to the area and was an untried target.

Albert bristled with indignation. "Old mare," he said smoothing his hand over his filly's silky neck. "Why your ponies'd have to hump themselves to come within a mile of beating Bess here," he spat on the dusty road. "After all they are just ponies."

The day was full of work, and the boys liked to snatch a few moments of fun where they could. Sometimes they would meet down by the bridge at the old swimming hole, but lately since the addition of the Stroll's, and the Bluey's to the area the habit of racing their horses and ponies had taken their fancy.

"Avery...Trevor, you two come start us off," Mitch called to a couple of the boys that had gathered in the shade of the old cottonwood tree at the corner of the roads. "We'll race down to across from the school house there," he waved toward a distant goal.

"Give Randy and Don time ta run down and make a mark in the dirt," Howard said. "You two run on down there...here let me give you a leg up," he helped his younger brother up on their mule.

Don grabbed Randy's hand and using Randy's foot for a stirrup threw himself up on the back of the old mule. The old mule trotted down the mile to the finish line. The boys made a mark in the road then Don waved his old felt hat high in the air.

Mitch and Ike held their ponies in place while Albert sat on a slightly nervous Bess. He spoke to her as she pranced in place, and at the last got her soothed.

Some observers followed Don and Randy down to the finish line and waited there, while the others stood up from where they sprawled in the farm driveway and ditch along side the road.

"Alright, when I count to three, I'll holler 'now', and drop my hat! One, two, three--now!"


They were off as his hat dropped. Through the cloud of dust, they could see Bess hesitate at the start.

"Come on, Bess! Come on Bess," the boys cheered her on.

She reared and leaped into a bolt to catch the ponies. She wound up and passed them like they were running in place. As they neared the school house line she was far enough ahead there was not even dust for them to swallow...and she was still winding up.

"Whoop! Hurrah! Yeah!" the boys cheered. Mitch and Ike Stroll were not good winners, and they had rubbed salt in the wounds of every one they had won against.

Another cloud of dust appeared coming from the south.

Where was Albert and Bess? No one moved, no one shouted, fear gripped their voices.

Aahooga, aahooga! came the hated sound. The auto kept on bouncing along the road. Not stopping, not even slowing down it rolled by the two groups of boys. Everyone scrambled for their mounts and raced toward where the automobile had first been spotted.

"Albert's over here," Don called as the boys ran up.

"How is he?" several chorused as they slid off of their horses and onto the ground.

"Stand back--stand back..." he's comin' around."

"Where's the horse?" Sammy Summers looked up and around from where Albert lay in the ditch.

"She went that-a-way," Randy Trevor said with a wave on up the road.

"We better send someone to find her," Howard said as he gave Alfred a drink of water out of his canteen. "We'll find her Al. Don't worry none. She'll be all right," he said words to convince himself as much as the prostrate boy.

****************************************************

Gene looked up from the ditch he was mowing. He spied the dust from what appeared to be a automobile coming his way, and was glad that he was just a stone's throw from the driveway to the house.

"Get along now!" he slapped the team with the lines. He pulled the mower bar up, swung across the road, and swept into the farmstead lane.

Ah-ooga!

Ah-, he thought disgusted, ooga yourself! He had heard that fool thing more lately than he cared to. He pulled up in front of the barn.

"You aren't overdoing yourself are you?" he called out to his uncle.

"No, I just got out here. I've been working in the shop here doing a little wood working."

Gene backed the mower up, "Whoa!" and the team stood still as he climbed off. "I'm fixing to take the scythe out to the road bank. There's a few thistles that I need to get rid of..."

"Here, let me take Sal and Barney in and unhitch them and get them watered."

"The harness is too heavy for you, but you can take them on to water for me," Gene lifted the heavy harnesses one at a time and hung them on the pegs at the end of the horse stalls.

"I'm not quite useless," Jed frowned in frustration.

"No, Uncle Jed, you're getting stronger every day. Don't fret yourself," Gene lifted the scythe down from where it hung. He stopped, leaned on the scythe and looked his uncle in the eye. "You have to be patient with your self. Remember David's lesson from Sunday. That's the person we have the most trouble with."

"I am getting stronger, that's true. David's right at that isn't he, boy," he said with an agreeable smile.

The work was about done as Gene stopped and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a sleeve. He looked down the road bank and spied another thistle just a few steps further and that should be... He squinted down the road. What would Albert Bluey's horse be doing out grazing along the roadside for? He leaned his scythe against the fence post.

"Easy now, girl," he spoke soothingly as he neared the animal. He pulled some grass and held it out in a friendly gesture. "Easy now," he stopped as she shied away from his approach. She stopped then and let him walk up to her side. "Good girl!" he patted her neck and gentle, before she realized it, he scooped up the reins.

"Come on ole girl, let's see if we can figure out where you came from," he said and she followed him down the road. "Pears to me there's been some foul play here..."

It was not much farther that he spied Kenny, Howard's youngest brother trotting toward him.

Careful not to spook the filly he raised his hand in salute.

"Hello, there, Kenny! What're you doing? Easy,now, girl," he comforted the horse as her head came up and her eyes began to roll.

"You found her!"

"Hey! Hey! Walk careful now," he warned Kenny as he came closer. "No, she found me."

"She left Alfred back there a-ways...got spooked...fool automobile..." he panted.

"Okay, slow down. We'll walk her back. How far is it?"

"Not far. Just down by the school house."

"Yeah, I see them down in that dip there."

"Alfred and Mitch and Ike were havin' a race. Alfred's horse here left them boys behind like nothing else! I never seen anything like it! It was great!" Kenny grinned as he related the story. They walked a little way in silence then he looked side ways at Gene and repeated. "It was great!"

"They met their match then?" he grinned back.

"Yeah, it sure was. I do wish you'd race your Injun pony agin' 'em. I know he'd beat 'em hands down too!"

"I don't want Bobby to get riled up...but maybe some day," they were almost to where the boys had Albert sitting up.

"How's he doin'" Kenny called.

"Not sure...he's just getting his breath back," Don answered. "Good, you found the horse. You can rest easy now, Al."

"Gene found her, then he found me."

"She appears to be fine. Not favoring any thing," Gene bent and checked the horse's legs and feet. "No, she should be alright. So, what happened anyway? Kenny said there was a race?"

"Oh, man! Gene ya should'a seen it! Mitch and Ike," Don stopped speaking to point out the boys, "Where'd they go?" he asked the rest of the boys.

"Don't know," Sammy shrugged. "Don't remember see'n them after the auto passed us."

"Albert, that Bess sure can run!" Don grinned at Albert.

"She should be able to, that's what she's bred to do." His long pale dust smeared face broke into a big smile.

"Ha, ha! What a joke on Mitch and Ike. It appears that they are worse losers than they are winners...can you get up?" Don asked. "Be real careful now."

Albert winced in pain as he tried to move. "No," he said easing back, "Just give me a few more minutes," he took another swig of the canteen. "She took the bit, and was runnin' flat out when that dadburn auto came flyin' right at us. Of course she spooked and I went sliddin' off...okay, let's try again."

Albert gritted his teeth and this time he made it to a standing position.

"Oh, howdy! I'm glad Bess is alright, though. Dad'd have my hide if anything had happened to her!" He stood gasping for air. "Hope nothin's broke," Albert leaned against his horse to steady himself.

"Who are the dudes in the automobile? Seems like I've seen them before?" Don asked.

"I've seen them around lately too," Howard frowned. "City slickers from town I suppose. Do you know who it is Gene? You've spent more time around the town than most of us..."

"I used to play on the football team with at least one of them. Greg Bilker, his dad owns the garage in town. Apparently has more money than he has sense. I don't know who any of the others are," Gene answered.

"Too bad Mitch and Ike left so quick," Howard snickered. "That was some race, Alfred. You feeling any better yet?"

"I guess I'll be alright. I'd better be headin' for home, I've been longer than I intended." He groaned as he put a foot in the stirrup. "Give me a push up will you?"

With a heave the boys helped him into the saddle, and watched as he turned toward home.

"Hope he's all right," Don frowned, and turned back to his horse.

"Yeah, he must of hit pretty hard when he landed," Sammy said.

"Those fools in that auto. Someone needs to turn them in. You suppose the sheriff'd do something about them?"

"Naw...what could he do?"

"There isn't much the law could do...unless maybe they saw something as it happened. I need to get back to work too, I suppose. I'll see you later," Gene turned toward home.

"Hey, Gene let me give you a ride on home," Howard called.

"That's a big mule, but three to a mule is too much, Howard. It's not far...I'll see you tomorrow at Mr. Goodnite's."

"Come on, Gene, Sammy's little, and we get more'n three on old Blue here all the time."

"Oh, all right...just be careful there Sammy...don't go kicking him in the flank now!" Gene got situated and helped Sammy up.

"So what's going on with your old football buddy?" Howard asked.

"I don't know, Howard. Guess he thinks I'm horning in on his territory or something."

"What an idiot!" Howard snorted.

"He's got his eye on a certain young lady, and she doesn't like him. Couldn't be that there's anything wrong with him you know. Sit still Sammy, we're almost to where I left my scythe."

"Is it Angela?"

"Yes. He's been jealous over her since last year. Slide off so I can get off, and I'll help you back up, Sammy," Gene gave the youngster a hand down then carefully slid off himself. "You want to come on up to the house? Aunt has some fresh baked cookies...I'm sure she would share," he grinned up at the two boys on the mule.

"Would we like some fresh baked cookies? You bet!"

"Some guys are just sore losers," Howard and Sammy rode Blue down the lane as Gene walked beside them.

"That's true, but Angela doesn't like him. He's not..." Gene hesitated trying to think what it was Angela didn't like about Greg.

"He's not you," Howard guffawed at Gene.

"I don't think that's what...,"

"Every other word out of Ruthie's mouth is to sing your praise, and she's not the only one. Some of the other girls at school--according to rumors--thought you were the cat's meow," Howard interrupted.

Gene's face turned crimson. "You've been listening to stories, Howard, and you're plumb crazy. Let me put this idiot stick back in the barn while you tie Blue to the fence.

"Have you been fishing this spring, Howard?" Jed asked as the boys drank their milk and ate a handful of oatmeal cookies each.

"Been too busy, sir. Don't know why," his face clouded as he considered the last year. "It's a wonder we're still here. the heat and the grasshoppers last year about did us in."

"Yeah, it has been tough, but I got a letter from one of my brothers the other week. He's been traveling all over the country and says cities aren't a good place to be. Twenty men looking for the same job he says. I'll stay here in the country. At least the air's clean and I know my neighbors."

"We have plenty to eat, my Pa always says, and things have to get better soon," Howard said. "I guess Sammy and I need to be getting on home. It's time to go bring the cows in for the evening. Thank you for the cookies, Mrs. Wade. Sure good. You going to be at the oration at the school house next week?

"Probably," Jed nodded at the boys as they pushed their chairs in. "Your folk'll be there I reckon. Tell your Pa I'll get back to him on the pasture land we were discussing last week--at the meeting."

"They're all growing up so fast," Jed said with a wistful lilt in his voice as he and Agnes watched the three boys walk out toward the barn. "Just yesterday Gene was that scrawny ten year old boy."

"Yes, with the lost look in his face that almost broke a body's heart. Now he's most grown up...and what would we have done without him?" Agnes sat down at the table. Howard reined their mule around, and Gene gave old Blue a slap on the haunch as the mule trotted down the lane.

"I do believe that boy is going to be taller than me, Agnes. Do you know he's already looking me in the eye--I guess I'd better get on out and help with chores."

Jed put his cup over by the coffee pot, and headed for the barn. He noticed there was a light breeze and a smell that said full summer was coming soon. He stopped to watch the milk cows milling around in the lot as they waited to go into the barn for the evening's milking.

He walked to the barn and hollered into the darkness, "Gene?"

"Back here," came from a back granary.

"What you doing back here, boy?" he looked in surprise as his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness. "When did you improve your room back here? Last time I was in here you only had your punching bag."

"When I was in Europe we met up with Mr. Bouchette. Remember him uncle? The man you drove out to Lord Hughes' place back...how many years ago now?" Gene frowned in thought. "It was back when I worked at the hotel..."

"Yes, of course I remember Mr. Bouchette. That was a nice day. Agnes and I enjoyed it very much."

"He was visiting Lord Hughes in London when we were there. He was leaving for France and traveling on the same ship we were, so naturally we spent some time in his company. We were invited to visit him at his chateau. He comes from an old family that dates back many centuries. They were masters in defense...sword fighting, and the such like. He's very much into pugilism as well."

"You know we don't like fighting..."

"This deals a lot with the art of swords and the self defense of fisticuffs."

"Isn't that...fighting?" Jed's voice held a dubious tone.

"Yes...and no."

"I always thought that punching bag was a good way to take your frustrations out. It seems like the last few years have had their share, haven't they? How did you run into Howard? I thought you were working on thistles."

"I was...I can tell you the story while we work on chores," Gene gave the punching bag one more wallop before turning for the door.

Gene sat reading, glad the long day of work was at an end. He glanced up at the clock in the dining room and closed his eyes briefly. He opened his eyes and continued reading since he had several more paragraphs to cover.

"I hear them coming down the lane!" Agnes exclaimed as they set up a game.

"We'll have a little bit of time while David reviews Gene's work. You and Bessie can get things arranged," Jed said.

"Yes, that's true, but I want to ask her about some crochet patterns," she stopped as they heard the doors slam on the Hudson. "There they are now."