Evening star., 1941-09-21
Il Short Story Complete on This Page

- after the cavacade of engine, separator bundle
wagons and white canvassed cook had wound its
- way of sight down the road, Thor stood motoness
the porch Wave after of sick disappointment surged
through him. Bleaky his eyes cung to the distance In him
there terrible hardness toward his father.
Even yet he couldn't believe he had been left behind. Up
until the last he had hoped for miracle Thor had wanted
to drive bundle but he have gone roustabout
anything Other neghbohood boys had been hired for this
help He was almost old some of them
He had been fourteen few months back.
He knew that his mother had put word for him,
but his dad had been dead against his going Thor couldn't
right out and beg He had his pride too. Yet he had
tried show his father how Benny the younger brother
he twelve and big for his age and old Bill the hired
man, could handle all the chores.
NO. you're young Nels Anderson had insisted Mot
strong enough take the ga It's mans work. harvesting is
Thor thought those words he stood there wound
tightly around post feet tensed against each other Thought
of the alteration he'd had for the tall axenhaned
with the long stride OF the pride his fathers understanding
and their companionshp Now there only the bitter
feeling that his father had let him down.
His fathers threhng outfit the best that section
excepting perhaps Sherwm Townes twenty thirty miles
west Once when he small boy his father had taken
him there The thought of Towne stirred him. Suppose
Towne having trouble getting full crew. That night
when everything STILL he rolled up his blankets and let
himself cautiously out the back door.
As he tudged down the dusty road in the soft
darkness glad he had spent most of that day helping
his mother He'd cleaned out the milk house. hoed in the
garden put up clothese His mother would find his
in the morning In it he'd asked her not to send word right
off his father If he couldn't get at Townes he'd
home again.
6ARIY that morning he got ride He reached the Towne
ranch little before 1t a neat farm, with good
buildings tidy fences The barn large painted red
And the threshng outfit assembling He still stood
Thor put down his bedding roll and walked over to
heavyset redfaced pointed out as the owner Pulled
himself up tall he could Taking men ?" he
asked, his heart thuddmg.
Il might be-" Towne looked at him keeny. What kind of
job you looking for?'
"Spike-pitcher
Hmm bundle wagon You look pretty young for that.
Not too heavy.
Try me out I've got way with horses and I'm strong
Towne did lot of tinkering and oling Abruptly he said
"A right. Come along. Pick out your team"
He led the to the barn. AT least eight or nine teams
there Thor looked at them then back to Towne you
Il can pick out the team want to drve?'
That's right Except the two end ones.
They re spoken for"
Thor saw the Percherons from the door His
eyes lighted as he walked straight to them.
Percherons A beautiful pair. He'd urged his
father to buy Percherons. Thor put his hand
caressingly a shiny black flank. The horse
turned and eyed him.
"These he said to Towne.
There was odd look on Towne's face.
you can't even reach up to harness them, ~
bud You aren't tall enough. vi
Thor flushed. Il know he said almost L..
apoogetcaIy. But III get something to ASs
stand on l can do it. l can handle them. A.
boy look here A team that size is twice All
the work of another Twice as big Heavy
feeders Are you sure you want them?"
Dead sure"
What did you say your name was, bud?
Your face looks kind of familiar"
Thor - Thor Williams Williams had
been his mother maiden name.