Story The Long Winter

fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 44​

After a week of work that turned out to be much harder than anyone had expected, both mobile homes were fully functioning and everyone had moved in. For the time being, they all still came to Marty and Martha's for meals, but that would gradually end as they got their places stocked with food. The crops were put in the ground and all the seedlings that had been started in the green houses were planted and new seeds started. It was a time short time of rest between weeding harvest so they took full advantage. With four household to prepare for, the families all found themselves salvaging as much as they could. A new pole barn was built to hold supplies they had found including enough canning supplies to last them a very long time, if they were careful. The alarm system was revised to cover all the homes and tested and changes as needed and the homes were hardened as much as possible. Marty was convince that trouble would find them. It was almost prophetic. A gang of about two dozen had been working their way further and further out form Jackson, and not only were they stealing, but raping and destroying everything in their path had become their calling card. Marty had received some advance warning from an anonymous person on the radio so he ban to get ready.

“Ron, I want you to find a place to put a LP/OP on the road in both directions. How far will the cameras transmit,” asked Marty.

“We can go about a quarter mile, but I can use some of the AV repeaters we have to extend the range as far as we need to. We have plenty of batteries and small panels.”

“Well get on, Take Rodney if you need him, I need to go talk to Al, about moving some dirt. The sooner the better, and Ron, take some fire power with you. Keep alert,” warned Marty.

“Al, we need to build a berm around the houses and if possible, let's take up the culvert in the driveway. I want to put a sheet of steel or a cattle gap down for a drive, but I want to be able to lift it to make the driveway impassable if we need to.” explained Marty.

“I'll get right on it, I suggest we start with the driveway, and then, I will deepen the ditches and use the dirt from the ditches to get started on the berm. If you will take the dump truck and start moving some dirt to the farm, I will get started on the driveway. Do you have a cattle gap or do we need to build on,” asked Al.

I know where I can get one,” Marty replied, “ I will take care of that. I am going to the dirt pit and use the track hoe there, I should be back in a couple of hours with the first load.”

They worked furiously and as soon as Rodney and Ron, finished with the cameras and had verified they were working, they started in on the dirt work. Ron helping Al with placing the dirt and Rodney driving another dump truck helping Marty. When they had the from ditch squared like they wanted it, The cattle gap was lowered into place and a cable was attached to a winch that would allow them to open or close the gap from the house.

“Marty, I have a few enhancements in mind for the ditch out front and the front and back of the houses. I think a couple of claymores back to back in the ditch and around the perimeter of the houses would stack the odds in our favor,” offered Ron.

“I agree,” said Marty, “but the kids have to be warned and everyone need to know their exact placement. We also need to make absolutely certain that none of the houses will be hit in the crossfire.”
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 45​


The radio crackled to life with a call from Mr. Johnson. “Looks like you got trouble headed your way,” said an almost out of breath, Mr. Johnson. We had about two dozen try to rob us, but we Looks like their regrouping and heading your way. They can't shoot for crap, but they got plenty of guns. We are going to let them get out of sight and then we are going to fall in behind them. If they stop at your place, we will hit them from the rear while you occupy them from the front. Watch out for us.”

“Understood, Mr. Johnson, we will be ready. You and the boys need to avoid the ditches, and don't get close to the houses. We have a surprise waiting for them,” said Marty. “All hands on deck,” shouted Marty, “That was Johnson on the radio, looks like the gang is on the way here. Everyone take their positions, June, get down to the shelter with the kids and don't come out until we give you the all clear.”

Two dozen strong, body not mind, thugs continued down the road to Marty's place. They had convinced themselves that it was just bad luck the first house they tried was armed. They were sure to do better on the next one. Ron had been busy and he remembered his time in Nam and he knew fear was the real enemy of a soldier. He would be ready. Her slipped out of the back of the house and positioned himself where he could be of the most benefit. The rest of the group took up their rifles and got into prearranged shooting positions. “Remember,” said Marty, “Wait until I give the word and watch for Mr. Johnson and his two boys coming from behind the group.”

The lead thug, positioned himself in the middle of the pack, with the most aggressive out in front and the bullet fodder bringing up the rear. He thought he was protected on both fronts. The first of the group was loud and yelling with the intent of scaring the occupants. Their taunts and racial epithets were falling on deaf ears, however, as Marty and his group were the picture of concentration. The lead thugs crossed the ditches with no trouble, and continued to approach the house. When the first half dozen got within 10 feet of the front of the house, Ron released the valve to the rack of pipes hidden in the bushes that were connected to the propane tanks. The thugs were met with a wall of flame. The two survivors jumped int the ditches where the others were already taking coven and beginning to shoot at the house. The click of the claymore detonator was the loudest sound in the house. The carnage was hard to look at. Fourteen dead thugs in the ditch and three survivors head back up the road they had just came from. Shots rang out from Mr. Johnson and his boys confirming there would be no survivors. The leaders body was found almost directly in front of one of the claymore emplacements. It would take at least two trips to remove his remains. In the house, Martha asked June to keep the kids in the basement until the worst could be cleaned up. There was no point in exposing them to this.

“Well, I guess I need to get the end loader and start loading up the bodies,” said Al, “If some one will start a slit trench, we will have all of them buried in a couple of hours.”

“I'm on it,” said Caleb, as he walked to the barn to get the track hoe out. “Looks like across the road will be the easiest and fastest.”

Ron began searching the bodies and retrieving their guns and ammo. Not surprisingly, he found a lot of cash among them and a couple of bags of jewelry and silver and gold coins. “I sure hope they weren't doing this just for money. Damn fools don't have any food with them,” thought Ron.
 
Mr Bill

Mr Bill

Veteran Member
Hope this is the end of the trouble but most likely not. Most of these guys are not too good in the country.
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 46​


With the grizzly task of cleanup behind them, Marty turned his thoughts to the Winter that seemed to be behind them now. “You know,” he began, “if this coming Winter is like the one just ended, we are going to need more propane, than we have. The tanks is about half full, but now there are more people living on the place and the trailers are heated with propane.”

“Can we find some wood stoves and convert them over,” asked Ron? We can heat and cook with a good wood stove.”

“We are going to start clearing more woods for pasture and crops, so there will be an abundance of firewood,” said Marty, “and I am sure Rodney and Al will want to help.”

“There is a large wood stove in the barn behind the house,” said Al, “Apparently the old couple that lived there converted to propane at some point. I don't see why we can't convert the house back.”

“It is decided then,” said Marty, “We start prowling for more solar panels, batteries, and now wood stoves and wood heaters if we can find them.”

“Don't forget stove pipe,” added Rodney.

Marty asked the ladies if they had anything to add to the list, and told them the plan. “You all be careful,” she warned Marty, “If you see an old treadle sewing machine, I would like to get Janet and Barbara, trained, in the mean time, mine will do double duty, but with all these kids, we need to get busy making some clothes.”

“I'll keep an eye out,” Marty promised.”

The men folk loaded up in Al's old four door pickup and headed to town pulling a sixteen foot trailer. They made it to the town of Raleigh and were surprised to see a couple of stores apparently open for business. Marty approached a man on the street and asked if the stores were indeed open, and the gentleman informed him they were but only for barter, or gold, or silver, no paper money or credit was being accepted.

“I have some silver with me,” said Marty, “Let's see what things cost.”

“I have the coins we took off the thugs,” Ron reminded them all, This is as good a place as any to spend some, if we can get what we need.”

There was a lot of used furniture, obviously scavenged from abandoned homes and a six burner Home Comfort wood stove complete with hot water reservoir and a large box full of stove pipe. “It will never fit in our trailer,” said Ron, “but with the double class doors on Rodney and Janet's trailer, it would be a cinch to get it in the house.”

“I was going to cover those glass doors in the Winter to try and conserve heat, but have them open during the warmer weather. I'm glad I haven't had time to do it now,” said Rodney. “Only problem I see is I don't have any gold or silver, and nothing to trade.”

“You have an equal stake in the coins we took off the gang, everyone of us should get an equal share,” Marty replied. “Let me talk to fellow,” said Al, “I have been a horse trader my whole life.”

Al, found the owner and the two of them disappeared into a back office, Marty and Ron, continued looking through the store until Ron, spotted a box full of cast iron cookware. “If we are going to start eating at our respective homes, we are going to need some cookware and dishes and a lot of other things. Al and Barbara should have plenty of everything form the old couple that lived there before,” Ron said.

“Let's try and get the cast iron too,” said Marty, “Martha could never resist a piece of Griswold.”

Al and and the owner came from the back room and they were both smiling. “Rodney, give the gentleman one of your twenty dollar gold pieces and we can load up your stove and stove pipe,” instructed Al.

“Really,” asked Rodney incredulously?

“Really,” said Al, “oh and you are going to be clearing a lot for him and preparing it for planting in the next week or so.”

Marty made a deal for the cast iron and found it was all Griswold and Wagner. Ron and Rodney found some silverware and dishes and both ended up with a nearly new percolator. “Now if we can find some coffee, we will be in hight cotton,” laughed Ron.

Marty was almost out the door, when he remembered the treadle sewing machine, he turned and went back in and asked the owner. The owner of the store took Marty next door to his home and showed him the machine that had belonged to his wife. “She didn't make it through the sickness,” he said sadly, “but I kept most of her things here at the house. Somehow I couldn't bear the thought of strangers handling her things. You seem like good people and Al told me about the kids, take it and use it in good health, I think there is a box of add ons as well as buttons, needles and a lot of thread. Grab that young man and let's get it loaded before I change my mind.”
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 47​

Martha, and the ladies, were astonished at the condition of the old Singer treadle machine. A quick perusal of the boxes found a buttonhole attachment and dozens of bobbins, there was a hemmer, binder, edger, quilter, ruffler, and some things Martha had never seen. There were bolts of cloth and more buttons than any of them had ever seen in one place. “Sewing lessons begin in the morning ladies,” said Martha.

Rodney asked Janet to come out to the trailer so he could show her the huge cast iron stove. “It is beautiful, Rodney,” exclaimed Janet, “but will it fit in the house?”

“I figure we can put it in through the double glass door opening without any trouble, but, when we get it inside, I am closing the double opening to a single door. Better security and more energy efficient,” said Rodney.

Marty gifted Martha with the cast iron cookware. She lovingly scanned each piece and then she started setting some aside to give to Janet and June. She had duplicates of some of the pans and she thought it would be a good thing to get the other two households started with quality cast iron. Al and Barbara already had a good start left in the house when they moved in.

“Ron, tomorrow we will find another stove and some pipe and get you and June fixed up,” Marty told his brother, sorry we couldn't get it done today. I think tomorrow, we'll head over to Bay Springs and see what we can find. There is an old antique store out on the highway. It is the solar panels that I am worried about finding. I just don't know where to find any around here.”

“Didn't the big home improvement stores sell them,” asked Ron, “It might mean another trip to Meridian, but that is the most likely place to find them.

“Then, let's leave early and go to Meridian first and come back through Bay Springs. We will take enough supplies to spend the night if we have to,” said Marty.

“I don't know about Martha, but June isn't going to like an overnight trip one bit,” warned Ron.

Ron was right. Neither of the ladies were thrilled about them going, so a compromise was reached. They would go to Meridian and look for panels today and the next day, Rodney and Ron would look for a stove for Ron and June's trailer.

Rodney was all smiles as he came out of his trailer and climbed into Marty's truck. The trailer and toolcat had been readied the night before. “You look might chipper this morning,” said Marty.

“Last night was the best night I have had in a while,” said Rodney with a grin, “The misses was sure proud of her new stove.”

Marty laughed and put the truck in gear and they headed for The home improvement store in Meridian. When they got there, Marty noticed the gated had been torn off the hinges. “Better be on the lookout,” Marty warned Rodney, “We may have company here.”

Marty got out and grabbed his rifle and making sure he had everything he would need, he slipped in through an open door and clicked on his night vision inside the darkened building. Rodney stayed where he could watch the truck and make sure it would be there when Marty came out. Marty glassed the aisles as much as he could and when he was satisfied it was safe, e turned off the night vision and turned on his head light. The only thing that stirred was a bird that apparently got in and couldn't find his way out. They found a display for solar panels and were disappointed to find there were only a couple and a controller on display. “What about the storage area”, asked Rodney? “Surely there would be more there.”

They found their way to the back of the store and were rewarded with no less than ten pallets of 200 watt panels, boxes of controllers, and a mountain of connectors and wiring. Rodney went to pull the truck around to the loading dock, while Marty got the loading dock doors opened. It didn't take long to load the trailer with the solar supplies and the angle iron Marty had gathered to make installing the panels a little easier. As they were leaving, Marty said, “surely they wouldn't sell solar panels without batteries, so the search began again. The batteries were dry and they also found enough sulfuric acid to fill them all. The trailer was loaded to over capacity and Marty thought they would be lucky to get home with the heavy load.
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 48​

The next day, Rodney and Ron, took off in search of a wood heater or wood burning stove or both, for Ron and June's trailer. Marty started building the rack for the panels on Rodney's trailer. They had positioned both trailers with the roof facing South. Marty had measured everything and was on the ground welding the rack together when he saw Mr. Johnson coming down the road. “Morning, Mr. Johnson,” welcomed Marty, “good to see you out and about.”

“Morning to you too,” said Johnson, “ I thought I would see if we could do a little trading.”

“What do you have in mind,” asked Marty? “You know you are welcome to anything I've got. Just name it.”

“The boys have been busy cutting firewood and they wanted to see if you would be interested in trading some firewood for that horse to Tony's. They need a good horse to pull the wagon to town so they can sell some of their firewood.”

“I would trade in a minute, but the horse is not mine, you need to go see Barbara and see if she would be willing. I don't see why she wouldn't, they haven't even looked at the horse since shes been here. Here and Al Smith are living in the old Foster place next door. Go on over and talk to them. I am sure you make a deal. If you want to sell a little firewood, I might be wanting to buy some, we just put in a wood stove in Rodney's trailer and Ron is out looking for one for his trailer.”

“Dang,” declared Johnson, “I have a perfectly good stove in my barn. He is welcome to it if they don't find what they are looking for.”

“I'll let him know when he gets back,” said Marty.

Johnson, left and went on over to see Al and Barbara about the horse and Marty got back to welding. Before long, Marty had the rack completed and decided it was a good stopping place. He would get Al to use the track hoe and they could set the rack on the roof, but they would have to wait until Ron and Rodney got back so they would have plenty of help. Meanwhile he started checking the connectors and laying out the wiring. Rodney is going to have to build a small battery house to hold his charge controller, inverter and batteries, thought Marty.

In the house, Martha and June were busy preparing a light lunch, the green house had started producing some salad greens and Martha had made a vinaigrette. There would be some ham sandwiches and a salad for lunch. They were all glad to see the first produce from the greenhouse.

Rodney and Ron pulled in with a load of stovepipe and enough lumber and materials to finish the job of closing in the double glass doors on Rodney's trailer. “Mighty slim pickings, the way we went,” said Ron, “There is enough brick to skirt both trailers and thats about it.”

“Ron, Mr. Johnson was by earlier and he said he had a wood stove that was yours for the taking. Why don't you and Rodney, go on down and pick it up now, and I will let June and Martha know y'all are home.”

It didn't take long to get the trailer turned around and back on the road, and in an hour or so they were back at the farm, Rodney driving the truck pulling the trailer and Ron driving one of the UN Unimogs. “What in blazes are doing in that thing,” asked Marty?

“Johnson said his boys claimed the other two and said this one belonged to us,” explained Ron, “This thing has PTO on both ends and all wheel drive. It isn't armored or anything but it is a hoot to drive.”

Al and Barbara had walked over to help unload the trailer and Al got excited when he saw the Unimog. “Do you boys know what you have there, he asked?”
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 49​

“These things will do anything a tractor will do and more,” said an enthusiastic Al, “I always wanted to sell them at my dealership, but there was no market for them here. They are darn expensive.”

“What do you mean, anything a tractor will do,” asked Marty? “You can plow a field with it,” he laughed.

“That and a lot more, there are more attachments for these things than you would believe, in Europe they are used for logging, powering sawmills, tilling, transport, plowing, running threshers, you name in and there is probably an attachment for it. Plus you can use it as a regular truck and travel at highway speeds, let's see you do that with a tractor.”

“Well, that's all well and good, but I don't remember there being a Unimog dealer in Pineville,” Ron snorted.

“Maybe not, but there was one in Jackson,” said Al. “It would be worth a trip.”

“I'm not so sure,” said Marty, I am pretty sure that gang that came through here was from Jackson. We could be borrowing trouble.”

“Then I will go by myself,” said Al, getting more than a little upset. “Rodney, if you want to go with me, I would appreciate it, I am going to need a little help getting everything loaded.”

“If its OK with Ron, I will make the two of you a deal,” offered Marty., “You can have the Unimog and all the attachments and I will make do with my tractor.”


Al couldn't help but think he had offended Marty, so he countered, “I'll tell you what, I will go get the attachments and any maintenance items I can find and we will all be equal partners. Rodney, you can plow filed all over the place without having to load the tractor and the Unimog will get you there and back without any towing hassles. I wouldn't be surprised to see you plowing for everyone now that fuel is getting so scarce.”

Ron and Marty gave their blessing and outfitted Rodney with a rifleman's setup. Plenty of extra magazines and ammo, plus they supplied both of them with enough provisions for two weeks.

“It's only 70 miles,” said Rodney, “We should be back by dark if we leave early enough.”

“No sense in taking chances,” Ron said, “There's no telling what you guys are going to run into when you get there.”

Janet and Barbara were both dead set against the idea, but after a lengthy explanation, the men were allowed to go, but only after promising they would get back safe. The next morning, Rodney and Al, set out about a half hour before daylight. They had agreed to keep in touch with the radio as long as they were in range and they would turn around and come back at the first sign of trouble.

“Keep a sharp eye out,” said Al, “We are actually going to be just South of Jackson, but you never know what to expect.”

They arrived at the dealership just about an hour after full sunup and saw right away the gate had been pulled from the hinges. “Be alert,” Rodney warned, “Someone might still be here.”

The two men pulled the truck and trailer around to the back side of the huge building, making it hard to see from the road. Al, stepped out and walked straight to the Unimog section. He started making a list in his head of what to get first and where to place it on the trailer to maximize his load. Rodney had gone inside the office and all he found was a broken into vending machine and paper strewn everywhere.

They quickly unloaded the toolcat with the forklift attachment and started loading the trailer. While Rodney was loading everything Al had marked, Al was in the warehouse getting all the maintenance items and spare parts moved to the loading dock with a pallet jack. Rodney backed the trailer into position and loaded the pallets and then drove the toolcat onto the trailer. It was a full load. “Let's get out of here,” said Al, “somethings not right.”
 
K

kua

Veteran Member
Talk about a Cliff! "Something's not right." usually means a big Uh-oh!

Great story. Always enjoy seeing another chapter posted.
 
stjwelding

stjwelding

Veteran Member
fastback08 My fingers are an inch longer for holding on to all of the cliffs on this site and then you throw out a "Something's not right", Please have mercy on us and give another chapter. Please.
Wayne
 
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fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 50​


Rodney checked the hitch and safety chains and he and Al climbed into the truck and started out the gate. Al's head was on a swivel. Rodney said, “Let me do the watching and you concentrate on driving. You're making me a little nervous the way you are watching everything but the road.”

“I can't shake the feeling that we are being watched,” Said Al, “You be sure and watch for any movement.”

They made it onto the road with no issues and soon were on the road back toward home. When they crested a little hill, Rodney told Al to pull over on the shoulder and stop for just a second. He got his binoculars out of his bag and gazed the road behind them. They only had to wait a minute for Rodney to see a truck top the hill they had just come over. The truck immediately stopped and pulled over to the side out of sight. “Just as I thought,” Rodney told Al, “We are being followed, I am going to try and raise the farm on the radio. Whatever we do, we cannot lead them straight to the farm.”

Al, agreed and said,” maybe we can try and lead them around until we are able to make radio contact and set up an ambush along the way.”

They set out in a fashion that would get them closer to the farm without actually giving away the location of the farm. As they circled closer, Rodney again tried the radio. There was still no answer, the only thing that was going to work was to get closer or higher. Al, being familiar with area, said, “there is a fire tower not too far from here. Maybe we could stop and look like we are checking the load, while you scramble up the tower and try to get a message to the farm.”

“It's worth a try,” Rodney answered, “It will certainly get us high enough. Marty said these hand held radios only work on a line of sight,so if the farm antenna and this antenna can see each other I should be able to get in touch.”

The fire tower was soon in sight and Al, positioned the truck and trailer so that only his sie could be seen from the road behind them. The truck had no sooner stopped than Rodney was racing up the tower steps. He didn't even try until he was at the top level. “Mayday, Mayday,” he called into the microphone, “ unkeying the microphone, he waited for an answer. “This is Marty, what's the problem,” asked Marty, with a note of alarm in his voice?”

“Marty, we are being followed, they have shown no aggression, but it is obvious they are trying to see where we are going. What do you suggest we do?”

“How far out are you,” asked Marty?

“About forty five minutes if we come in directly,” Rodney said.

“Bring them on in and come the way we always use, after you get on the road leading to the house, slow down, Ron and I will have a surprise for them.”

Rodney raced down the tower steps taking them two at a time and ran to the truck just as Al was finishing his contrived load check. They both climbed into the truck and Rodney relayed the plan to Al.

“Ron, grab your detonation cord and let's go, Rodney and Al are being followed, yelled Marty. The two brothers made several wraps around a couple of trees that they thought would work and then they set up a hide in a spot between the trees they had selected. Right on schedule, Al and Rodney came down the road and pulled into the driveway of the farm. Marty told them where to position themselves and soon the four men were hidden and waiting. They did not have to wait very long.
 
K

kua

Veteran Member
Shhhhhh.....We won't tell anyone if you want to slip in two chapters today.

You can tell this intrigue is really getting us agitated!
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 51​

The battered old pickup came into view soon after Rodney and Al had secreted themselves. It sounded as if it had seen better days. The old engine was sputtering and Marty wondered to himself, how it had made it this far. As soon as the truck was in front of them, Ron set off the first charge and an old dead tree exploded at the base and fell neatly across the road in front of the truck. The truck stalled for a moment and after restarting it began to back up. Ron then threw the other switch and another fell fell behind them blocking their exit. The sound of women screaming filled the air and startled the men who were laying in wait. The driver, a young woman who appeared to be in her late teens to early twenties jumped out of the truck and started running back toward the direction they came from. Ron stepped out and told her to halt which she did. The passenger stuck both arms out of the window and started yelling, “don't kill us.”

“Step out slowly, and keep your hands in view,” yelled Marty, “we aren't going to kill anybody that don't need killing.”

The passenger stepped out and it was another young woman, younger than the first. She couldn't have been more than eighteen. Rodney appeared from the woods and checked her for weapons, after Marty had cleared the truck. Ron came walking up with the other young lady in front of him.

“Please don't hurt us,” she began, “we were just so hungry we didn't know what else to do but follow you. When we saw you taking farm equipment, we figured you were farmers and would give us a meal.”

“What do you know about farming,” asked Marty?

“Our Daddy worked at the dealership before he and Mother died. I know quite a bit about the equipment, but not much about farming”, said the older girl.”

“Let's clear a path and we can continue this up at the house,” said Marty.

Rodney hooked a chain to the dead tree and Marty pulled it aside with his truck. Then Ron got in the girl's truck and followed Marty and his guests to the farm. Martha and June were waiting on the porch and saw them pull into the yard. Both women were armed and ready until Marty gave them the all clear. The two young ladies were clearly malnourished and weak and Marty told Martha to get them a little broth or something light and let them eat a little, cautioning her to not let them over do it.

“All we have had for the last two weeks was what was in the vending machine, and it ran out three days ago. We had water, but no food. When we saw you pull in, we thought you were the same group that ransacked the office the other day. Once we could see you clearly, it was obvious you were not the ones. We have been hiding and running for over three months, and finally we siphoned enough gasoline out of vehicles to fill our little truck and a couple of five gallon cans. We planned to get out of Jackson but we weren't sure where to go. Then you showed up just as were were leaving so we waited and after we found out you were farmers, we decided to follow you. There was something wrong with our truck though, it just wasn't running right.

“Smelled like bad gasoline, to me,” said Ron.

“Let the girls eat,” said Martha, “there will be plenty of time to talk after they eat and rest. Ladies when you get through eating, I will show you where you can clean up and if you want, you can take a nap.”

“We have clothes in the back of the truck,” said Susan, the oldest girl, “there is an old brown suitcase.:

“We will have to check it for weapons before you can have it,” said Marty, “we have also had a brush with thugs and we have to be sure.”
 
K

kua

Veteran Member
Not exactly what I was expecting but this gives new directions for this story to travel. Will be interesting to see the direction you give it. Good job!
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 52​


While the girls were cleaning up and changing clothes, Martha told Marty, “We can't take in everyone, Marty. We are doing good taking care of what we have. These girls have probably never been on a farm, much less worked on one.”

“We haven't taken anyone in yet,” Marty replied, “besides, I didn't bring them here, they brought themselves. Let's have a talk and see what their plan is, maybe we can help them get somewhere more to their liking.”

“Sandra,” said Susan, “we can't just pile up on these people, they have a good thing going here and I am sure they don't want to take in a couple of strays.”

“Well, what do think we should do,” asked Sandra, the younger sister. “Should we just thank them for a meal and a bath and hit the road and starve later on?”

“ I don't know what to do,” said Susan, “but Dad taught us better than to beg for handouts, we will come up with a plan, maybe they will give us a day or so to decide, we can always buy some food from them, we have all of Dad's old gold coins.”

“They might not want to sell us anything,” said Sandra, “food is pretty scarce lately.”

Down the road, the Johnson boys were lamenting to their father that there were just no eligible girls left around the area. “Pop, me and Caleb, have thought it over and we know you need us here, but it's time for us to think about getting married and there are just no prospects in the area. We are going to have to start looking further out.

Mr. Johnson said, “I know what its like to be your age, I was young once myself, but, I am too old to run this place by myself, and what are you going to use for food when you get out on the road. Right now, as selfish and it may sound to you boys, staying here and helping me is your best option. I'll tell you what, why don't you go down to Marty's and talk to that Rodney fellow and his wife. She may have had some friends they left behind. Its worth a try.”

Ron and June were discussing the recent arrival and June said, “maybe one of the girls could stay with us and the other with Marty and June. That way we would both have some help around the house and neither house would be too crowded.

“Ain't neither one of them gals said anything about staying,” said Ron.

Over at Rodney's, there was very little talking going on except for Janet telling Rodney he as never leaving again without her. She was still a little amped up over them being followed home. Rodney just accepted his fate as they slid under the covers and turned out the lights.

Al and Barbara had a light supper and cleaned up the dishes and said their good nights. They didn't feel like they had a say in the goings on.

The girls walked into the living room and sat down, and started thanking Marty and Martha for a good meal and a chance to clean up. “We don't intend to stay, but if you could give us a couple of days to figure out what we are going to do, we would appreciate it. To be honest, we hadn't looked any further ahead than getting something to eat.”

Sandra added, “our Dad would be ashamed of us if we just took and didn't offer anything in return, so if you have some chore we can do or you will accept some payment for your hospitality, we would be most grateful.”
 
sssarawolf

sssarawolf

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yep sounds like good timing and the girls sure could do worse. In the wold days lots of weddings happened like this to help each other out. My own grandparents on my dads side was an arranged marriage for mutual benefit of both families. And were talking 1925 here in Wisconisn.
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 53​


After a mostly sleepless night, Marty was roused by a horn blowing at the gate. He looked out and saw Caleb and Bruce Johnson waiting for someone to open the gate. Marty went downstairs and pushed the button that caused the gate to retract and then he walked out on the porch to see what the boys wanted.

“Mr. Marty,” Bruce began, “we need to talk to Rodney and his wife, sorry about the horn blowing.”

“Come on in and get a cup of coffee, I don't think Rodney and Janet are up yet, least I haven't heard them.”

“Whats got you boys out so early this morning,” asked Marty?

The boys exchanged glances and Bruce said, “Mr. Marty, there aint no women left in this area and me and Caleb, have been thinking about setting up housekeeping. We were going to go out on the road, but Pop says we would be leaving him in a tight spot.”

Pop said we needed to maybe talk to Rodney and Janet and see if they knew any girls that we could meet,” Caleb finished Rodney's sentence.

As fate would have it, Susan and Sandra had heard the commotion and came down to see what was going on. Bruce and Caleb tried their best to stammer out a good morning, but they just couldn't quite get their tongues to cooperate.

Sandra, Susan, this is Bruce and Caleb Johnson. They live on the farm down the road. They were just coming by to see Rodney, and I invited them in for coffee.

“Good morning,” drawled Sandra in a honey dipped voice, “Good to meet you.”

Sandra echoed the statement and the boys were finally able to at least grunt out a hello. “We gotta go, Mr. Marty, we will be back later this afternoon,” said Bruce.

“What about Rodney,” said Marty, grinning from ear to ear, “I thought you boys need to see him.”

“It can wait, we will be back in a little while,” said Caleb. And with that they were gone in a cloud of dust.

“Well,” said Marty, “you gals seemed to make quite an impression on them boys.”

The girls giggled and asked Marty if they could cook breakfast for him and Martha. “I don't see why not, but you're not obligated to.”

Bruce and Caleb got home and ran in and started scrubbing and putting on their best clothes, while telling their Pop, that they thought everything was going to be OK. Marty had took in a couple of real pretty girls and they were just the right age for the boys. They went on and on about how friendly and how pretty and how perfect everything was going to be until Mr. Johnson said, “Reckon how they feel about you boys?”
 
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