joseph engraver
09-26-2025, 10:37 AM
the vagabonds of destiny
When they drove into the Flying J Truck stop, the motor coughed and died, and they coasted the truck the remaining fifty yards to the fuel pump. “Now this is a very lucky day.” Tom said, “I generally end up walking at least a couple of miles when I am out of gas. Billy, how much money can you spare me now that we are here?”
Billy thought for a minute, then he said, “I don´t know, It depends on whether you will let me ride along, I have no destination or anyone I can rely on. I think I am out of luck and headed for the bottom when this money I got for my wedding ring is gone. I am cold, hungry; need a shower and some warmer clothes. After that I am in the hands of Saint Joseph Labre. Do you know who he was?”
“Of course I do Billy, he is the Saint of all vagabonds, and he brought you to me just before the police
Impounded my truck and put me back in jail for panhandling. We vagabonds call him Saint Joe, and
He helps us in time of need; you and I are from the same family of destinies.
You can ride along with me as far as you want to.”
Then he held out his hand in genuine friendship. They shook hands once more.
Then Tom said, “Billy, I have a pile of clean warm cloths I got from the Salvation Army in the back. This truck stop has good food, and if you eat here, they have clean restrooms, showers, free soap, shaving gear, and towels for truckers and cots where you can take a nap. As a new member o f this very elite group of free and independent thinking humans, I will help you to understand all the customs and benefit’s, but first I want to thank you for saving my *** back there with those cops.
When I said “You drive.” you knew instinctively I was in trouble. You see I don’t have a valid driving
Permit. I had it revoked for driving under the influence of alcohol. Drinking happens to be an Irish
Weakness of mine, inherited from the daddy I never knew. Saw a picture of him once, and my dear
Mother told me he was a railroad man. .
With the exception of a dismissed burglary charge in Pennsylvania and a minor accident caused by faulty brakes and liquor store shop lifting arrest in Lynchburg West Virginia. I have few other problems.
I once had a very successful business filing income tax forms, until the government inspected my records.
Even though I felt I had done no wrong, they found too many errors in favor of my clients in my miscalculations. That judge put me in jail for tax fraud and I served two years in the state prison.
When I was set free, I decided I needed to leave Texas, retire and travel, which I have been doing for last five years. The reason I am telling you this Billy, is if we join up, you will be doing most
of the driving. “Now what about you, what is your story?”
Billy thought about this for a while and decided he needed more time to answer him
” First I need a shower and food in my stomach, and right now we need to move this truck.
Here are ten dollars for gas so we came move it out of the way.” he finally said.
Once the truck was fueled and out of the way. Tom said “In the back of the camper there´s a cardboard box full of clean clothes under my bunk. Get rid of that suit and find something that will make you look like a truck driver. You need a heavy wool sweater, a pair of jeans and a baseball cap. And try on my old boots, the soles are thin but I think they will fit you. Truckers are a willing to help out one another, but they don’t take too kindly to strangers who look like they work for the IRS or finance company.”
To Billy’s surprise the back of the truck was well organized. In one corner sat a small grinding wheel powered by a foot treadle, neatly racked along one wall there was a well cared for guitar, a banjo, and a small filing cabinet that served as a table. Its door was open and Billy could see that except for an empty half pint bottle of whiskey it contained nothing
He rummaged through the box of cloths and found everything he needed to stay warm. Once he had changed, he stepped down from the camper.
Tom was waiting and smiled in approval, “Now you look like a long haul trucker. You will fit in, as long as you keep your mouth shut and don’t let anyone shake your soft Lilly white hands.” Then he bent down and scraped a bit of oil off the asphalt, “Here rub this on them and some on your forehead. The secret of survival in the vagabond part of the world is to become invisible, like a chameleon. The truckers know me as Texas Tom. It is my road name, and from now on you are Boston Billy. We travelers do not use last names, makes it easier to disappear and much harder to be found. The past, we now have left behind in Pleasantville, and only Saint Joseph knows what our future is to be.
Now we can eat. I am looking forward to a chicken fried steak, hash browns and a couple of beers.
What about you?” “I want pizza and a coke, Tom.”
Tom stopped dead in his tracks, looked at Billy and shouted. “Pizza and a coke! That’s tourist food; these truckers will laugh you out of the place, Have a double cheese burger, fries and a beer. How old are you Billy? ” “I will be twenty-four in a couple of months, got married at twenty-one, Even though my grandmother once told me it was the biggest mistake to marry young. I thought it would last forever, but it ended after she had spent all of my inheritance. And put me in debt
Can you believe that she divorced me on the grounds of mental cruelty
I finished college where I studied marketing, but never had a job, and now I am broke, and confused. Tom, I sure could use some help.”
“Billy I am old enough to be your father and I will help. You are now going to learn a job, working with me, playing a harmonica and sharpening knives, I have a good feeling about you and I believe Saint Joseph Labre is going to be looking over us. Putting his arm over Billy’s shoulder he said...Right now the most important thing is to be opportunistic and get some food.
Then I will begin to teach you how to survive and make money, and your marketing training will be a big benefit to that endeavor.”
When they entered the restaurant, two truckers waved and said. “Hey, Texas Tom is back, are you going to play a few songs for us tonight old man?” As Tom took off his sombrero and sat down at the counter, he said “It depends on how much money you intend to put into my sombrero amigos , and how many of you show up, I don’t share my talents without applause, and for me the only applause I want is money, and believe me I need some. I had an unpleasant run in with the cops in Pleasantville, and by the time it was over they had confiscated my stash and all my cash.
This here young feller saved me from the jail. His handle is Boston Billy, and he will be sharpening your folding knives, straight razors and Bowie knives to a fine edge. All the while, accompanying me with the saddest sounds the harmonica ever made. Show will start at dark and continue until my last half pint of whiskey is gone.”
When they were seated and the flirty waitress had taken their orders Billy said. “Tom, the only thing I know how to do is sharpen is a pencil, and I don’t know how to play a harmonica.” Tom took a long swallow of his beer, and then he took another, finally he said. “Not to worry Billy, by tonight you and I are going to be rolling in the cash. After we eat and get cleaned up I will show you all you need to know about putting a razors edge on any knife and as far as the harmonica is concerned , all you have to do is think sad thoughts and play, my guitar and your emotions will do the rest. By the time we are done, these homesick truckers will be crying, and giving us enough cash to fuel the truck
Chapter six
When they drove into the Flying J Truck stop, the motor coughed and died, and they coasted the truck the remaining fifty yards to the fuel pump. “Now this is a very lucky day.” Tom said, “I generally end up walking at least a couple of miles when I am out of gas. Billy, how much money can you spare me now that we are here?”
Billy thought for a minute, then he said, “I don´t know, It depends on whether you will let me ride along, I have no destination or anyone I can rely on. I think I am out of luck and headed for the bottom when this money I got for my wedding ring is gone. I am cold, hungry; need a shower and some warmer clothes. After that I am in the hands of Saint Joseph Labre. Do you know who he was?”
“Of course I do Billy, he is the Saint of all vagabonds, and he brought you to me just before the police
Impounded my truck and put me back in jail for panhandling. We vagabonds call him Saint Joe, and
He helps us in time of need; you and I are from the same family of destinies.
You can ride along with me as far as you want to.”
Then he held out his hand in genuine friendship. They shook hands once more.
Then Tom said, “Billy, I have a pile of clean warm cloths I got from the Salvation Army in the back. This truck stop has good food, and if you eat here, they have clean restrooms, showers, free soap, shaving gear, and towels for truckers and cots where you can take a nap. As a new member o f this very elite group of free and independent thinking humans, I will help you to understand all the customs and benefit’s, but first I want to thank you for saving my *** back there with those cops.
When I said “You drive.” you knew instinctively I was in trouble. You see I don’t have a valid driving
Permit. I had it revoked for driving under the influence of alcohol. Drinking happens to be an Irish
Weakness of mine, inherited from the daddy I never knew. Saw a picture of him once, and my dear
Mother told me he was a railroad man. .
With the exception of a dismissed burglary charge in Pennsylvania and a minor accident caused by faulty brakes and liquor store shop lifting arrest in Lynchburg West Virginia. I have few other problems.
I once had a very successful business filing income tax forms, until the government inspected my records.
Even though I felt I had done no wrong, they found too many errors in favor of my clients in my miscalculations. That judge put me in jail for tax fraud and I served two years in the state prison.
When I was set free, I decided I needed to leave Texas, retire and travel, which I have been doing for last five years. The reason I am telling you this Billy, is if we join up, you will be doing most
of the driving. “Now what about you, what is your story?”
Billy thought about this for a while and decided he needed more time to answer him
” First I need a shower and food in my stomach, and right now we need to move this truck.
Here are ten dollars for gas so we came move it out of the way.” he finally said.
Once the truck was fueled and out of the way. Tom said “In the back of the camper there´s a cardboard box full of clean clothes under my bunk. Get rid of that suit and find something that will make you look like a truck driver. You need a heavy wool sweater, a pair of jeans and a baseball cap. And try on my old boots, the soles are thin but I think they will fit you. Truckers are a willing to help out one another, but they don’t take too kindly to strangers who look like they work for the IRS or finance company.”
To Billy’s surprise the back of the truck was well organized. In one corner sat a small grinding wheel powered by a foot treadle, neatly racked along one wall there was a well cared for guitar, a banjo, and a small filing cabinet that served as a table. Its door was open and Billy could see that except for an empty half pint bottle of whiskey it contained nothing
He rummaged through the box of cloths and found everything he needed to stay warm. Once he had changed, he stepped down from the camper.
Tom was waiting and smiled in approval, “Now you look like a long haul trucker. You will fit in, as long as you keep your mouth shut and don’t let anyone shake your soft Lilly white hands.” Then he bent down and scraped a bit of oil off the asphalt, “Here rub this on them and some on your forehead. The secret of survival in the vagabond part of the world is to become invisible, like a chameleon. The truckers know me as Texas Tom. It is my road name, and from now on you are Boston Billy. We travelers do not use last names, makes it easier to disappear and much harder to be found. The past, we now have left behind in Pleasantville, and only Saint Joseph knows what our future is to be.
Now we can eat. I am looking forward to a chicken fried steak, hash browns and a couple of beers.
What about you?” “I want pizza and a coke, Tom.”
Tom stopped dead in his tracks, looked at Billy and shouted. “Pizza and a coke! That’s tourist food; these truckers will laugh you out of the place, Have a double cheese burger, fries and a beer. How old are you Billy? ” “I will be twenty-four in a couple of months, got married at twenty-one, Even though my grandmother once told me it was the biggest mistake to marry young. I thought it would last forever, but it ended after she had spent all of my inheritance. And put me in debt
Can you believe that she divorced me on the grounds of mental cruelty
I finished college where I studied marketing, but never had a job, and now I am broke, and confused. Tom, I sure could use some help.”
“Billy I am old enough to be your father and I will help. You are now going to learn a job, working with me, playing a harmonica and sharpening knives, I have a good feeling about you and I believe Saint Joseph Labre is going to be looking over us. Putting his arm over Billy’s shoulder he said...Right now the most important thing is to be opportunistic and get some food.
Then I will begin to teach you how to survive and make money, and your marketing training will be a big benefit to that endeavor.”
When they entered the restaurant, two truckers waved and said. “Hey, Texas Tom is back, are you going to play a few songs for us tonight old man?” As Tom took off his sombrero and sat down at the counter, he said “It depends on how much money you intend to put into my sombrero amigos , and how many of you show up, I don’t share my talents without applause, and for me the only applause I want is money, and believe me I need some. I had an unpleasant run in with the cops in Pleasantville, and by the time it was over they had confiscated my stash and all my cash.
This here young feller saved me from the jail. His handle is Boston Billy, and he will be sharpening your folding knives, straight razors and Bowie knives to a fine edge. All the while, accompanying me with the saddest sounds the harmonica ever made. Show will start at dark and continue until my last half pint of whiskey is gone.”
When they were seated and the flirty waitress had taken their orders Billy said. “Tom, the only thing I know how to do is sharpen is a pencil, and I don’t know how to play a harmonica.” Tom took a long swallow of his beer, and then he took another, finally he said. “Not to worry Billy, by tonight you and I are going to be rolling in the cash. After we eat and get cleaned up I will show you all you need to know about putting a razors edge on any knife and as far as the harmonica is concerned , all you have to do is think sad thoughts and play, my guitar and your emotions will do the rest. By the time we are done, these homesick truckers will be crying, and giving us enough cash to fuel the truck
Chapter six