Just Another Day

By Robert A. Heacock

The Threat

Clem came around the corner of the general store and headed for the park bench where George and Leo were already settled to watch the traffic go by.

“Good morning fellows,” said Clem as he took his place on the bench.  “You fellows been here long?”

“Nope,” said Leo.  “We’ve been here for almost ten minutes.  Where you been all morning?”

“The wife had me fill the wash tubs before I left.  Seen any strangers go by yet?”

Before speaking George spit in the paint bucket at the end of the bench.  “Naw, it’s been pretty quiet so far this morning.  The sun feels good though.  I might have to go home and hoe if nobody comes by.”

All three fellows leaned back on the bench and made themselves comfortable.  George looked up the road.  Leo reached down and pulled up his socks.  Clem reached into his bib overalls and pulled out his pipe and began filling it.

“Hey fellows, I see a head coming over the hill up the road.  I can’t tell if I know him or not.”

“Does he look dangerous George?” said Leo.  “I can’t tell if I know him or not.  I sure don’t want any trouble today.”

ll three men continued to look up the road.  The man grew taller as he topped the hill and came on into town.  Clem started to light his pipe but he broke his match on the seat of his pants as he tried to light it.

The Greeting

As the man came closer they could see he was using a walking stick and had a pack on his back.  In the other hand he held a rope with a dog on the other end.  It took several minutes for the man to get close enough for the bunch gang to see who he was.

They all looked him over pretty good.  “Nope, no one I know,” said George.

“Me neither,” said Clem.

“Well, I don’t want any trouble today,” said Leo.

As the man drew closer he said, “Good morning to you fine gentlemen.  It is a beautiful day to be traveling.”

“It sure is,” said Leo. “Where you headed, mister?”

“I don’t rightly know for sure but I know I am going over that next hill.”

Clem was trying to light another match and it broke also.

“Hear mister let me light that with my lighter,” said the walker as he leaned over and flicked on the lighter.  The dog sat down and began scratching his ear.

“Well thank you kindly, sir,” said Clem.  “I hope all goes well for you over the hill.”

“So do I,” said the man, “and I hope you all have a good day.”  He flicked the rope and the dog stood up.  “Try not to work too hard today.”  Both the man and the dog began walking on down the road, both smiling as they went.

The Threat Passes

“Well now, that gentleman seems to be a right nice fellow,” said George.  “I just hope he figures out where he is going.”  They all laughed.

“Well at least he is not a trouble maker,” said Leo.  “We sure don’t need trouble makers stopping in here and stirring up the town.”

“Boy that’s for sure,” said Clem.

“Well boys, I’ve got to go home and finish reading the paper before lunch.  You all take care.” Leo got up and headed around the store.

“What do you say Clem?  Shall we head out for home too?”  George stood up and both knees popped.

Clem knocked out the ashes from his pipe and stuffed it back in the bib of his overalls.  “I sure hope Ma’s got the soup heated up.  You know we always have soup on wash days. See you tomorrow.”

The end