“Daniel Lewis”
By Larry Fox
()
About this ebook
Larry Fox
Larry Fox bio I was brought up on a horse ranch in Minnesota. I had just finished qualifying with an M16 machine gun in Missouri when a man from Cuba killed President Kennedy, I did 2 ½ years in Veit Nam. I drove semi trucks there and stateside, over 500,000 miles worth. I did carpentry and cattle ranching after coming home. I have 3 college degrees in home center management, television productions and truck driving. I wrote and produced my own television show for 3 years. After retirement I became interested in writing and have written several books.
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“Daniel Lewis” - Larry Fox
Chapter One
H arold Lewis his wife and son loved in New Jersey about two miles from Harold’s parents. In the spring of ‘56, Daniel’s grandmother took ill. The doctor advised his grandparents move to a drier climate. So they moved to Alabama. Where they found a farm for sale. After a couple of years his grand-ma’s health worsened. Grandpa sent for his son Harold.
Harold and his family went for a time to help plant the spring crop. Margaret had made several trips looking in on grandma. Her health steadily got worse. A few weeks later grandma passed on. Harold’s dad convinced him to move in and take over the farm. Harold and his family went back to New Jersey, sold their home, and moved to Alabama.
Grandpa Lewis’s grandson Daniel made a good transition from New Jersey schools to Alabama schools. He had to study, but he also knew how to listen. After graduation he went to work helping his dad, Harold with the farm. During the planting of ‘58, Daniel graduated from collage with a degree in animal husbandry and mechanical engineering. He was standing by the kitchen sink getting a drink looking out the kitchen window. His dad was sitting at the kitchen table, looking over an order form for supplies they needed. As Daniel turned back to the table, he glanced at the calendar by the coat hooks, and the keyboard by the kitchen door. He spoke to his mother, Margaret, Mom, did you know it’s only two weeks until Valentine’s Day?
Daniel’s parents were both in their mid forties.
Yes son, I do,
then she added, Just where does the time go?
In the fields, mother, in the fields,
Harold said. Then he told her Honey, I thought I heard Dad up a couple times during the night.
So did I,
she told him, I’ll let him sleep till he wakes up, then I’ll fix him something.
Harold said, That’s a good idea.
He looked at Daniel, Son, you do remember you have that pick up tomorrow?
Harold put his cup down and said to him, We better get the chores done.
In the barn finding things that needed either fixed or just replaced.
The following morning, after chores, found Daniel headed for town. The second week of February, Daniel always went to town to pick up supplies at the Feed & Seed. Sometimes after that he went to the hardware store.
Everyone called him Daniel. Neither Dan nor Danny seemed to fit. Daniel was a twenty two year old, two hundred and five pounder and just full of muscle. He didn’t like hair over his ears or on his face.
When he pulled up to the Feed & Seed, he saw Mr. Hargrove walking out the door. Hargrove owns the Feed & Seed, Morning Mr. Hargrove,
Daniel said.
Hargrove stopped on the second step and turned around, Well, Daniel, hi! Say, are you going to plant the same seed corn this year?
Yes, I am. There were to three ears on two of three stalks last year. There were even some that had four ears on them. So yes, I’m going to plant the same seed.
How many head of cattle do you have?
he asked.
Two hundred and eighty seven, but there are seventy or so that are going to calf.
He told him.
Then in that case, you’re right, I’d stick to the same seed,
Hargrove said. Once inside, Daniel started for the counter where Billy was working. Billy has been working there since the ninth grade.
Daniel stuck out his hand to shake with him, Hi, Billy.
Good morning, Mr. Lewis,
Billy said.
Hearing Daniel’s voice, Clarence Dockman, manager of the Feed & Seed, looked out of the door of his office, which was behind the counter. Daniel, can I see you in here for a minute?
Daniel looked back at him, Yes, sir.
Dockman went back into his office.
Daniel,
Billy said. Daniel stood for a second. Billy looked at Dockman’s office then back to Daniel and said jokingly, He has enough mustache you can part and wave it.
Laughing a little, Daniel replied, I believe you’re right, but we won’t tell him!
Then Daniel stepped into Dockmans office.
Dockman said, Come in Daniel
. He pointed to an overstuffed couch and chair. The kind, that when you sit in it, it swallows you up.
Seeing a wooden chair, Daniel said, This is ok,
and sat down.
Clarence asked him, You ordered the same seed as last year, right?
Yes, sir, I did.
Well, the truck comes out of Georgetown, and they drive right past your farm. You’re a mile south on 216, right?
Yes, I am,
he confirmed.
So they tell me it would be easier to deliver your order right to your farm, and they can at no extra charge.
Daniel shot one eyebrow up, Now, why would they say they could deliver for free?
Clarence repeated himself, Ok, they drive right past your farm,
he said. The elevator here has to make more room for the load. Now, if they deliver your load to your farm, the elevator doesn’t have to make extra space, so it would be easier on both. The elevator doesn’t have to make space, and you don’t have to drive into town. Now, I told them nine o’clock. I thought y’all would be finished with the chores by then,
Daniel said, Yes we would be, so that would be good.
Dockman picked up the phone, I’ll call the Georgetown Elevator and confirm the time.
He picked up a pencil and used the eraser to dial the number. Waiting for them to answer, he started tapping the pencil on the desk. Looking at Daniel, he commented, Eight rings, they must be busy.
Hello, Georgetown Elevator. This is Jenny, how may I help you?
she asked.
Yes. This is Clarence Dockman at the Feed & Seed in Pansey
.
How may I help you, Mr. Dockman?
I have a Daniel Lewis in my office, and I’ve ordered a load of seed corn for him. Now, I was told they were going to deliver it to his house.
Mr. Dockman, let me check the order sheet.
She sat the phone down and went to the order board. As she took the clipboard from the hook with the order sheet on it, the manager came in. Handing it to him, she said, Clarence Dockman is on the phone. He’d like to talk you, he’s the manager of the Feed & Seed in Pansey.
Mr. Dockman, this Jim Angle. I’m the manager here. Now I have the order form for a Daniel Lewis.
Ok Jim, I talked to your secretary, she told me they could deliver his corn right to his farm?
Yes, Mr. Dockman, we can. According to the address on the order form, his farm is on the way to your elevator. Now, we could be at his place… looks like nine thirty.
Dockman looked at Daniel and repeated the time. Daniel shook his head yes. Clarence confirmed to Jim that that would be good.
Jim asked, Is there anything else I can do for you today?
After being told no, the two hung up with each other.
Daniel and Mr. Dockman both stood up, extended hands, and said thanks. As Daniel left his office, he said, It’s not only free, but it also saves me a trip into town.
When he got near the counter Billy stopped him. Mr. Lewis, your truck is at the dock and already loaded. All you need to do is sign the bill.
Daniel took the paper, signed it, and turned to leave.
He got into his truck and started up to leave. As he was driving away he noticed the fuel gauge, and thought, Oops, I better get some or it’s gonna be walking time.
He drove down the street to Fred’s Pumps. After he stopped, the kid that works there came outside.
What’ll it be, Mr. Lewis?
Daniel told him, Fill-ER-up with no. 2 diesel and check the other fluids.
Then he asked if Jerry (the manager at Fred’s) was in.
Yes, he’s in the back.
With that Daniel went inside. The door closed behind him and he headed for the back, calling out, Jerry!
Daniel, I’m in the pit!
When Daniel found him he just watched for a minute or so and he bent down and looked under the car at Jerry and joked, Exhaust, right? You’re under that thing more than your dad is in it.
Ha, ha, ha,
Jerry laughed. I know he doesn’t look at what’s in front of him. He just drives over whatever.
My dad is a little like that,
Daniel told him.
Well Daniel he might be, but at least your dad is sitting on a tractor when he does it.
Yeah, that’s true,
Daniel said. And speaking of him, has the fuel pump for the Olds come in?
Jerry told him, There are some boxes by the roll up door up in the front. You can start looking at those, and when I’m finished here, I’ll come help.
Ok,
Daniel said, then he went to the front and started to dig for the box. As he picked up his eighth box, Jerry knelt down. Holding it and looking at the rest, Daniel said, This is quite the pile.
Jerry started to grin, Daniel, I’m the only garage in town.
Then he picked up another box; This one reads Daniel Lewis.
Daniel picked one up and said, This one says Jack Newhouser.
They both stood and Jerry said, If you will, one you keep, and one you give to Jack?
I can do that
.
They went to the front. While watching the kid taking care of a car for about a minute and Daniel said, He seems to be pretty thorough.
Jerry was standing behind the counter and told Daniel; His name is Jared. He does a good job, and people like him.
As the car left, Jared came in. Picking up a piece of paper, he handed it to Daniel. Mr. Lewis, it’s four eighty for the fuel and the other fluids were good.
Daniel paid him, told Jerry thanks, and left.
Chapter Two
A s Daniel drove away, Jared told Jerry, That’s one pretty truck. Where did he get it?
Jared,
Jerry started, That truck didn’t come from any lot.
As Daniel turned the corner and disappeared from sight, Jared asked, shaking his head from side to side, It didn’t, ok then… how?
Jerry shook his head and said, Nope. It didn’t.
He took Jared out behind the garage, and pointed at the left over parts from a pickup and a semi. What you don’t see here makes up that truck he’s driving.
You mean that the truck he’s got is made up of all kinds of spare parts?
Jerry shook his head no again, Not spare parts, used parts.
Jerry went into how Daniel came to town, and how they had built the truck. Daniel, his mom and dad lived up in Jersey, his grandparents lived here too. Well, his grandma’s health sent grandma and grandpa here, cause it’s dryer and cleaner. Well his grandma’s health got worse. His grandpa wired them up in Jersey, asking them to come down and help out with the farm for a while. And in the meantime, his grandma passed away.
That had to be rough,
Jared said.
Well, it didn’t take long after that before they went back to Jersey, sold their house, and moved here to the farm permanently.
Was he a brainy kid?
No… no. A lot of people thought he was,
Jerry explained. No, he had to study. But, he did know how to listen. After high school he went to college for Animal Husbandry, Mechanical Engineering, and Metal Fabricating, I think it was called.
As they walked, Jerry told him that the fenders on Daniel’s truck were fifty gallon barrels.
If they were drums, how’d you open them up?
Cutting Torch. We just cut them right down the middle.
They went back to the car over the pit, and Jared asked, How much is left?
Jerry reached in to turn the key, If it starts and is quiet, then we are done.
It started, it was quiet, and Jared hollered, It does, it is, and we are.
Jerry smiled and shut it down. They headed back to the front of the store and Jerry told him it’s time you do the receipts.
Jerry told him, I’ll take the numbers off the pumps, and then I believe we’ll call it a day.
After Daniel got home, he went straight to the barn to help with chores. Getting in he saw his dad and his grand dad doing chores. As he has seen them many times; but lately, not as much, Daniel thought. It was good seeing grandpa out side again, and seeing them scraping was a sight in itself.
The following morning, Daniel and his dad were in the barn doing chores. As they were scraping Daniel told his dad,