motherhubbard
07-10-2007, 05:02 PM
I think this is better than the last, but I'd really like to know what you think.
“I’m headed on over to the widder Widner’s ta cut up that ol’ tree down in her back fordy. I’ll be home ’fore dark.” Vaughn announced his intentions to his, but waited for permission. He was a dutiful boy quickly approaching manhood.
“Those lazy good for nothin’ boys o’ hers aught to a had that taken care o’ weeks ago. She jus’ as wella not had children as to o’ had them boys. An’ those girls o’ hers is jus’ as bad.” Clive’s leathery hands pulled his tobacco from the bib of his worn and faded overalls. He looked at his son and his lips turned into a wide smile. He was proud of the man his oldest son was becoming. He turned, but watched out of the corner of his eye as he said, “Son, take the wagon if ya’ount to an’ ya can stop off by that lill’ Turney girl‘s. I won’t tell yer Maw.”
Vaughn blushed and dropped his eyes shyly. “Thanks Paw, I’ll take the wagon, but is pas’ dinner time now an’ I wont have time.” He moved from one foot to the other as he talked. “’Sides, I hate fer ya ta lie ta Maw.”
“Suit ya self, but I seen tha way she looks at ya. She’s a right perty gal.” He spit on the ground and went with Vaughn to hitch the wagon to the old mare.
“Maw sure don’ like ‘er, says she’s fas’ an’ fas’ girls is trouble.” Vaughn was sullen as he got his axe down from a nail.
Clive just shook his head, “Son, fas’ girls is tha bes’ kind a trouble a man can find.” Laughing at his own wit, he took his hat off to wipe his brow. As he pushed his dusty hat back down on his head. He caught his son’s eyes and said more seriously, “thar ain’t never gonna be a woman to suit yer Maw.” Vaughn understood his father.
Once Vaughn had cut up the old sycamore tree, he loaded the wood on his wagon. He called the mare out of the grazing pasture and hooked her back up to the wagon, then mopped his head with a dingy handkerchief, which he stuffed back into his back pocket. There had been a break in the heat, but he was still hot from his labor. Walking alongside the mare, he started for the house.
Mrs. Widner stepped out with a big glass of lemon-aid. “Vaughn, I jus’ can’t thank ye ‘nough fer all the work ye done fer me. I cain’t keep the place like when I’s young. Ya can jus’ stack it right over by the ol’ smoke house fer me. Stop in ‘for ye leave.” She smiled and took the glass back into the little house, but Vaughn could see that there was a sadness to her face.
Once the wood was stacked against the leaning wall of the smoke house, Vaughn washed his face and neck in a rain barrel. He soaked his handkerchief, this time he tied it around his sunburned neck. At the house, Mrs. Widner him and gave him three old flour sacks and a gooseberry pie. Vaughn felt sorry for her and hated to accept anything for the work, but didn’t want to offend her by refusing.
“Why, Mrs. Widner, weren’t no trouble ‘t all. Now, that’s why the Good Lowrd give us neighbors.” He carefully placed the pie in the seat of the wagon. The widow was considered to make the best gooseberry pie in three counties and he wanted to make sure it made it safely home. “I know Momma‘ll make good use a those flour sacks. Little Mary‘s needin‘ a new dress. An‘ they‘ll all be grateful for the pie!” He climbed up on the wagon to head home. Smiling at her he remembered, “It’s been back, oh ’bout six year ‘go Momma had such a hard time after she lost Jimmy an’ you came an’ stayed four days. An’ when the twins had the pox, you sent out that fine supper. Why, we’re the ones is lucky ta have you!”
Vaughn was about three miles from his father’s farm. It was a peaceful evening and he enjoyed the hypnotic symphony of frogs and crickets. After he reached the bottom of the steep hill past the Widner farm, he decided to cut across a field owned by the Roberts brothers knowing those two old bachelors wouldn’t mind his trespass. He came out on the highway near the Assembly of God. From there Vaughn would just have to cross a shallow creek bed running behind the building and he would be home. He was contemplating the conversation he had had with his father, and considering a visit with Rose Turney after worship on Sunday, when he crossed behind the Assembly of God. He had forgotten they were having a Gospel meeting and the churchyard was full of people visiting before going in to hear the handsome new preacher pronounce Hell fire and damnation upon all of the lost sinners. The preacher had drawn quiet a crowd of young women, who in turn had drawn quiet a crowd of young men.
Vaughn was trying to avoid the crowd and didn’t notice Boyd Widner until he was nearly to the wagon; Mike Campbell and the two Phillips cousins were not far behind. They had each been trying to tell the bigger story about all the money and women they had had. Now, full of themselves, the four of them were ready to prove their manhood. Boyd spit through his ****-eating grin and the Philips cousins walked up to either side of him. Mike, who was no good in a fight, stood back behind the other boys.
“Well, Looky here! It’s ol’ Vaughn Chaney.” Boyd Widner smiled and nodded his head. “Jus’ who in hell d’you think ye are ridin’ through here. If ye ain’t comin’ to meetin’ then ye’d bes’ jus’ get that horse o’ yourn off the grounds.”
“Hay, Boyd!” Hubert Phillips, laughing like a donkey, decided to speak too. “Lets get ‘em down here an’ teach ‘em not to take his horse through a churchyard.” He wiped his nose on the back of his hand, and the back of his hand on his pants leg. Dale Phillips balled his fists and looked back over his shoulders at the crowd near the front of the building. Mike Campbell just grinned showing his dirty teeth, and fear.
“I ain’t lookin’ for trouble, boys.” Vaughn said with a steady voice. He smiled confidently and looked down into the face of Boyd Widner. “I been o’er to your maw’s place to cut up that tree ain’t none of you had time for. Now, it’s gettin’ late an’ I’m lookin’ to get home without any trouble.” Having another man take care of his business shamed Boyd Widner into silence. They all noticed the pie in the seat beside Vaughn. Boyd, quiet now, studied his feet, while the other boys studied him. Vaughn slapped the mare and headed home, looking back he smiled and said “I hope you boys ‘njoy that meetin‘ tonight.”
When he got home, he watered his horse and put up the wagon. Once the mare was in her stall, he took the pie and the flour sacks to the house. His mother was pleased with the sacks and the six of them sat down for pie and coffee. His mother served Vaughn first saying that he had earned a bigger portion for doing the work. His father was next, followed by little Mary. “Thank you, brother” she smiled up at him as she sat down beside him. Aura Lee’s face turned to a frown as she gave up two small portions for the twins. “Boys, you two aught to be real thankful to be getten’ anythin‘ after the trouble you two caused today. You’re ‘bout full growed an’ I shoulden have to worry ‘bout you two gettin’ into mischief.” They dropped their heads and said “Yes ‘am” in unison, but their guilt didn’t harm their appetite. Finally, she served herself and sat down. Vaughn told his family about the state of disrepair the Widner place was in, and how grateful she had been for the help.
“Now, that’s a darn shame. She’s got those boys who could work, and those lazy girls ain’t no better.” Clive shook his head. He became agitated thinking about the Widners, then his mind turned to the twins. “Frank, Henry! After the stunt you pulled I reckon you two can get yer chores done early tomorra an’ head on over ‘n’ take care of the Widner place. Eudell’d be ‘shamed a those boys. I don’t intend ta have any boys of mine actin’ like them. Ya got that paint every place but the barn. You’ll get over there and redeem yurselves.”
“I don’t know, Paw.” He hated to let his twin brothers know there was an opportunity for a fight, but was concerned that the two of them would be out numbered at the Widner’s. Boyd would have to make some kind of showing there to save face with his friends. “I saw Boyd on the way home an’ he’s none too happy with me.” Vaughn explained how he had run into Boyd and the others. “Those other boys’ll probly give him a razzin’ ‘bout another man takin’ care of his business. May not be a good idea fer the twins to go out there.” He glanced over at the twins and saw how they were looking at each other and added, “I jus’ don’t want no trouble.”
The twins cleared their plates and left the room. Mary took Vaughn’s plate with hers. She kissed everyone goodnight and went to bed. While Aura Lee took up the rest of the dishes and began washing, Clive took out his tobacco. He leaned back and looked proudly at Vaughn. After his tobacco was comfortably situated in his jaw he said in a quiet voice, “Son, those boys are no younger ’an you.” After a while, he spit in a can and went on, “A different man woulda jus’ licked ‘em. But, I guess we’d all be better off if we had your patience.”
The twins came in with their hats in their hands. “We’re heading out. We won’t be late.” They took off toward the barn without waiting for a reply. Shortly, horse hooves could be heard beating the path to the creek bed. Clive waited for Aura Lee to throw the dishwater out. Leaning in close to Vaughn, gave a quick wink and whispered, “I’d sure hate to be Boyd Widner tanight.” The twins got their temperament from their father.
Clive and Aura Lee went to bed and Vaughn checked in on little Mary. He was glad to see her sleeping, but had hoped to tell her again the story of the great flood. She had found comfort and delight in the promise of the rainbow since the heavy rains raised the creek bed and flooded the barn three years ago. Vaughn decided to wait for the twins on the porch and admire the glow of his surroundings washed in the moon’s silvery light .
After nearly an hour, Vaughn could see the twins quietly walking their horses up the path. As they got closer he could hear them laughing and decided to meet them at the barn. After they put the horses to bed they sat down behind the barn out of view of the house.
“Well, boys, I sure hope ya ain’t been up ta no good, but I ‘spect ya have. What kind a trouble did the two of ya stir up?” Vaughn looked into their coy faces and waited.
Henry threw his hands up defensively and innocently said, “Now, don’t go blamin’ me for startin’ no trouble. It’s ‘at Widner boy ‘ats startin’ trouble.”
Frank boasted through an evil grin, “We’re jus’ the men to finish it!” He laughed proudly and went on with the story. “We rode them horses up to the building’ and they’s still having meetin’. The boys weren’t outside,” The twins laughed until tears streamed down their faces. “… So we rode right through those front doors and up the aisle.”
Henry continued, “Frank sits up straight an’ all eyes were on ‘im. Ya should a seen their faces! That new preacher was plum speechless, an’ Mrs. May fainted dead away. Then Frank said ‘Which one of you sons-a-*****es told my brother to get out of the church yard?’”
Frank, laughing with pleasure, said, “Ya know, I didn’t get a single taker.”
The boys sat behind the barn for another hour. The twins smoked hand rolled cigarettes that they kept hidden from their parents while Vaughn picked blades of grass. Every detail about the events of the evening unfolded. The twins boasted with young pride and confidence. Vaughn knew that there would be reprisals, and worried about his younger brothers. But, the night breeze was cool and the owl’s warning seemed to be intended for another day.
“I’m headed on over to the widder Widner’s ta cut up that ol’ tree down in her back fordy. I’ll be home ’fore dark.” Vaughn announced his intentions to his, but waited for permission. He was a dutiful boy quickly approaching manhood.
“Those lazy good for nothin’ boys o’ hers aught to a had that taken care o’ weeks ago. She jus’ as wella not had children as to o’ had them boys. An’ those girls o’ hers is jus’ as bad.” Clive’s leathery hands pulled his tobacco from the bib of his worn and faded overalls. He looked at his son and his lips turned into a wide smile. He was proud of the man his oldest son was becoming. He turned, but watched out of the corner of his eye as he said, “Son, take the wagon if ya’ount to an’ ya can stop off by that lill’ Turney girl‘s. I won’t tell yer Maw.”
Vaughn blushed and dropped his eyes shyly. “Thanks Paw, I’ll take the wagon, but is pas’ dinner time now an’ I wont have time.” He moved from one foot to the other as he talked. “’Sides, I hate fer ya ta lie ta Maw.”
“Suit ya self, but I seen tha way she looks at ya. She’s a right perty gal.” He spit on the ground and went with Vaughn to hitch the wagon to the old mare.
“Maw sure don’ like ‘er, says she’s fas’ an’ fas’ girls is trouble.” Vaughn was sullen as he got his axe down from a nail.
Clive just shook his head, “Son, fas’ girls is tha bes’ kind a trouble a man can find.” Laughing at his own wit, he took his hat off to wipe his brow. As he pushed his dusty hat back down on his head. He caught his son’s eyes and said more seriously, “thar ain’t never gonna be a woman to suit yer Maw.” Vaughn understood his father.
Once Vaughn had cut up the old sycamore tree, he loaded the wood on his wagon. He called the mare out of the grazing pasture and hooked her back up to the wagon, then mopped his head with a dingy handkerchief, which he stuffed back into his back pocket. There had been a break in the heat, but he was still hot from his labor. Walking alongside the mare, he started for the house.
Mrs. Widner stepped out with a big glass of lemon-aid. “Vaughn, I jus’ can’t thank ye ‘nough fer all the work ye done fer me. I cain’t keep the place like when I’s young. Ya can jus’ stack it right over by the ol’ smoke house fer me. Stop in ‘for ye leave.” She smiled and took the glass back into the little house, but Vaughn could see that there was a sadness to her face.
Once the wood was stacked against the leaning wall of the smoke house, Vaughn washed his face and neck in a rain barrel. He soaked his handkerchief, this time he tied it around his sunburned neck. At the house, Mrs. Widner him and gave him three old flour sacks and a gooseberry pie. Vaughn felt sorry for her and hated to accept anything for the work, but didn’t want to offend her by refusing.
“Why, Mrs. Widner, weren’t no trouble ‘t all. Now, that’s why the Good Lowrd give us neighbors.” He carefully placed the pie in the seat of the wagon. The widow was considered to make the best gooseberry pie in three counties and he wanted to make sure it made it safely home. “I know Momma‘ll make good use a those flour sacks. Little Mary‘s needin‘ a new dress. An‘ they‘ll all be grateful for the pie!” He climbed up on the wagon to head home. Smiling at her he remembered, “It’s been back, oh ’bout six year ‘go Momma had such a hard time after she lost Jimmy an’ you came an’ stayed four days. An’ when the twins had the pox, you sent out that fine supper. Why, we’re the ones is lucky ta have you!”
Vaughn was about three miles from his father’s farm. It was a peaceful evening and he enjoyed the hypnotic symphony of frogs and crickets. After he reached the bottom of the steep hill past the Widner farm, he decided to cut across a field owned by the Roberts brothers knowing those two old bachelors wouldn’t mind his trespass. He came out on the highway near the Assembly of God. From there Vaughn would just have to cross a shallow creek bed running behind the building and he would be home. He was contemplating the conversation he had had with his father, and considering a visit with Rose Turney after worship on Sunday, when he crossed behind the Assembly of God. He had forgotten they were having a Gospel meeting and the churchyard was full of people visiting before going in to hear the handsome new preacher pronounce Hell fire and damnation upon all of the lost sinners. The preacher had drawn quiet a crowd of young women, who in turn had drawn quiet a crowd of young men.
Vaughn was trying to avoid the crowd and didn’t notice Boyd Widner until he was nearly to the wagon; Mike Campbell and the two Phillips cousins were not far behind. They had each been trying to tell the bigger story about all the money and women they had had. Now, full of themselves, the four of them were ready to prove their manhood. Boyd spit through his ****-eating grin and the Philips cousins walked up to either side of him. Mike, who was no good in a fight, stood back behind the other boys.
“Well, Looky here! It’s ol’ Vaughn Chaney.” Boyd Widner smiled and nodded his head. “Jus’ who in hell d’you think ye are ridin’ through here. If ye ain’t comin’ to meetin’ then ye’d bes’ jus’ get that horse o’ yourn off the grounds.”
“Hay, Boyd!” Hubert Phillips, laughing like a donkey, decided to speak too. “Lets get ‘em down here an’ teach ‘em not to take his horse through a churchyard.” He wiped his nose on the back of his hand, and the back of his hand on his pants leg. Dale Phillips balled his fists and looked back over his shoulders at the crowd near the front of the building. Mike Campbell just grinned showing his dirty teeth, and fear.
“I ain’t lookin’ for trouble, boys.” Vaughn said with a steady voice. He smiled confidently and looked down into the face of Boyd Widner. “I been o’er to your maw’s place to cut up that tree ain’t none of you had time for. Now, it’s gettin’ late an’ I’m lookin’ to get home without any trouble.” Having another man take care of his business shamed Boyd Widner into silence. They all noticed the pie in the seat beside Vaughn. Boyd, quiet now, studied his feet, while the other boys studied him. Vaughn slapped the mare and headed home, looking back he smiled and said “I hope you boys ‘njoy that meetin‘ tonight.”
When he got home, he watered his horse and put up the wagon. Once the mare was in her stall, he took the pie and the flour sacks to the house. His mother was pleased with the sacks and the six of them sat down for pie and coffee. His mother served Vaughn first saying that he had earned a bigger portion for doing the work. His father was next, followed by little Mary. “Thank you, brother” she smiled up at him as she sat down beside him. Aura Lee’s face turned to a frown as she gave up two small portions for the twins. “Boys, you two aught to be real thankful to be getten’ anythin‘ after the trouble you two caused today. You’re ‘bout full growed an’ I shoulden have to worry ‘bout you two gettin’ into mischief.” They dropped their heads and said “Yes ‘am” in unison, but their guilt didn’t harm their appetite. Finally, she served herself and sat down. Vaughn told his family about the state of disrepair the Widner place was in, and how grateful she had been for the help.
“Now, that’s a darn shame. She’s got those boys who could work, and those lazy girls ain’t no better.” Clive shook his head. He became agitated thinking about the Widners, then his mind turned to the twins. “Frank, Henry! After the stunt you pulled I reckon you two can get yer chores done early tomorra an’ head on over ‘n’ take care of the Widner place. Eudell’d be ‘shamed a those boys. I don’t intend ta have any boys of mine actin’ like them. Ya got that paint every place but the barn. You’ll get over there and redeem yurselves.”
“I don’t know, Paw.” He hated to let his twin brothers know there was an opportunity for a fight, but was concerned that the two of them would be out numbered at the Widner’s. Boyd would have to make some kind of showing there to save face with his friends. “I saw Boyd on the way home an’ he’s none too happy with me.” Vaughn explained how he had run into Boyd and the others. “Those other boys’ll probly give him a razzin’ ‘bout another man takin’ care of his business. May not be a good idea fer the twins to go out there.” He glanced over at the twins and saw how they were looking at each other and added, “I jus’ don’t want no trouble.”
The twins cleared their plates and left the room. Mary took Vaughn’s plate with hers. She kissed everyone goodnight and went to bed. While Aura Lee took up the rest of the dishes and began washing, Clive took out his tobacco. He leaned back and looked proudly at Vaughn. After his tobacco was comfortably situated in his jaw he said in a quiet voice, “Son, those boys are no younger ’an you.” After a while, he spit in a can and went on, “A different man woulda jus’ licked ‘em. But, I guess we’d all be better off if we had your patience.”
The twins came in with their hats in their hands. “We’re heading out. We won’t be late.” They took off toward the barn without waiting for a reply. Shortly, horse hooves could be heard beating the path to the creek bed. Clive waited for Aura Lee to throw the dishwater out. Leaning in close to Vaughn, gave a quick wink and whispered, “I’d sure hate to be Boyd Widner tanight.” The twins got their temperament from their father.
Clive and Aura Lee went to bed and Vaughn checked in on little Mary. He was glad to see her sleeping, but had hoped to tell her again the story of the great flood. She had found comfort and delight in the promise of the rainbow since the heavy rains raised the creek bed and flooded the barn three years ago. Vaughn decided to wait for the twins on the porch and admire the glow of his surroundings washed in the moon’s silvery light .
After nearly an hour, Vaughn could see the twins quietly walking their horses up the path. As they got closer he could hear them laughing and decided to meet them at the barn. After they put the horses to bed they sat down behind the barn out of view of the house.
“Well, boys, I sure hope ya ain’t been up ta no good, but I ‘spect ya have. What kind a trouble did the two of ya stir up?” Vaughn looked into their coy faces and waited.
Henry threw his hands up defensively and innocently said, “Now, don’t go blamin’ me for startin’ no trouble. It’s ‘at Widner boy ‘ats startin’ trouble.”
Frank boasted through an evil grin, “We’re jus’ the men to finish it!” He laughed proudly and went on with the story. “We rode them horses up to the building’ and they’s still having meetin’. The boys weren’t outside,” The twins laughed until tears streamed down their faces. “… So we rode right through those front doors and up the aisle.”
Henry continued, “Frank sits up straight an’ all eyes were on ‘im. Ya should a seen their faces! That new preacher was plum speechless, an’ Mrs. May fainted dead away. Then Frank said ‘Which one of you sons-a-*****es told my brother to get out of the church yard?’”
Frank, laughing with pleasure, said, “Ya know, I didn’t get a single taker.”
The boys sat behind the barn for another hour. The twins smoked hand rolled cigarettes that they kept hidden from their parents while Vaughn picked blades of grass. Every detail about the events of the evening unfolded. The twins boasted with young pride and confidence. Vaughn knew that there would be reprisals, and worried about his younger brothers. But, the night breeze was cool and the owl’s warning seemed to be intended for another day.