| The Tractor
Posted: 2/1/2007 2:06:45 PM | I hope you all enjoy this. Thanks for the great comments so far.
CHAPTER FOUR
"Pa! Pa! Are you alright?"
John's oldest son Adam was nearly in tears, his daughters had come running from the house and his beautiful Margaret wasn't far behind them. His youngest boy Nathaniel dropped the bucket of slop he had been carrying out to the hogs and joined Adam at his father's side. John was standing there with a glazed look in his eyes. He hadn't heard a word anyone had said it was as though he was in his own world. Margaret smacked him a bit to see if that would help, but he still hadn't returned to them. She instructed Rebecka to fill a pail with water and bring it to her along with a washcloth. She sat her husband down on the ground and removed anything that might get damaged by water. Adam held on to his shoes and pocket watch, and then his mother began to remove his clothing so she wouldn't have to wash it. Once she had him down to his long johns she dipped the washcloth in the water and wrang it out over his face. Nothing.
"Alright John," she said, "you asked for it."
She picked up the bucket and dumped it on his head. Elizabeth giggled at the sight of her father sitting in a pool of water and wet clothes. John sprang into action.
"What on God's green earth is going here?"
They all giggled this time, "Daddy you were gone again. Momma was just bringing you back."
"What are you talking about I wasn't gone, I only came out here to check on the animals. Your mother insisted something was wrong, and I was just trying to quell her fears. What are you all looking at me like that for?"
"John darling, I haven't asked you to check on the animals at all. You came out..."
John interrupted her, "not you darling, your mother. She said something didn't feel right when she went to bed last night so I am just trying to show her that everything is fine. Where is Adele? I am surprised she isn't out here to see what all the fuss is about."
Tears stung her cheeck, "Darling my mother passed on three years ago. You came out to feed the animals and to milk the cows. Where are the milk pails?"
"That's not amusing sweetheart. Your mother couldn't have died three years ago we spoke with her just last night before the storm rolled in. I know things have been strained with the thief still lose, but surely you can't be this confused about things."
"Mommy, what is Daddy talking about," came the query of their youngest daughter.
"How about we all go inside and get some breakfast?"
She knew food would make the children forget what their father had said, or at least the younger ones anyhow. John smiled at his wife and joined his children on their march to the kitchen.
"Great idea sweetheart. Do you mind if I get dressed first though?"
Margaret laughed now, "Of course not darling, we'll wait for you."
Adam grabbed the milk pails from the barn and headed off to the kitchen wondering what had happened to the man he called father. John entered their home and headed down the hall to his room to get dressed. Something seemed different about the house. He couldn't place his finger on it, but something was odd. The girls hurried to get the rest of breakfast on the table, and Nathaniel washed his hands and was the first to be seated. John joined the family at the table. He wondered where Roy and Adele were, but he hated to see his wife cry so he proceeded as if it was normal that they weren't there. He asked who wanted to say Grace and as usual Nathaniel and Elizabeth fought over whose turn it was. It was decided that from now on Nathaniel would say Grace at breakfast, Elizabeth would say Grace at dinner, and Rebecka and Adam would take turns at supper, the only exceptions would be if guests were present or if it was a holiday. Those occasions would be reserved for John, and on the Sabbath Margaret would say Grace at Supper, but would choose who got to say Grace at the other two meals. This seemed to be agreeable to everyone, so they joined hands and bowed their heads with their eyes closed while Nathaniel said Grace over breakfast. Everyone enjoyed the hearty breakfast and was preparing to settle in for a hard day of work when Margaret announced that for the time being only dishes needed to be done.
John objected, "Margaret darling if I don't get the fields plowed we won't be able to plant, and if we don't plant now, we won't have food to get us through the winter or this summer."
"I know that darling, but I don't want you operating that tractor after an episode like this morning. They aren't safe to begin with, and well with you not feeling well I shudder at the thought of what could happen."
"Margaret I am going to plow the fields today, and I'll not hear another word about it," his voice boomed across the room as he said it. He no longer cared about anything except proving that there was nothing wrong with him. "Boys get on out to the stable and get the tractor ready to go."
With that John got up and headed out to the stable expecting his boys to be right behind him. They lingered in the house almost scared to move. Their father had never spoken to their mother like that before. They weren't quite sure how to react, but the girls knew. They all had tears streaming down their faces. Where did their daddy go?
"Adam darling what was your father doing before he left?"
"What do you mean left?"
"Well I suppose I mean before you noticed that he couldn't hear you?"
"Oh well he was bringing the full milk pails out of the barn. He stopped and turned to remind me that we needed to plow today and told me to hurry about my chores. I told him that I remembered and that you had even made a hearty breakfast for us. Then he started to cry, and he just kinda stared off across the field. The girls came out when they heard me screaming."
"Okay son thank you. You better hurry on out there. Keep a close eye on your father. I am going to head over to get Teddy and see if I can't get him to watch him too. While I'm over there I am going to call the Doctor. Don't tell your father what I am doing okay?
"Okay Ma, I'll watch him real close, and I promise not to say a word."
"Girls you finish up here, I'll be right back. I might even bring Anna over to play with you when I come back."
"YEAH!" The girls had been pouting at having to complete the dishes alone, but the thought of playtime quickly cheered them up.
Margaret headed off to Ruth's, and the girls quickly got to work. Adam made it out to the stable in time to help finish getting the tractor ready. He opened the stable door, and the tractor took off without a hitch. Adam and Nathaniel carried the large plow over to the field so they could get started. It was a heavy piece of equipment, but the boys were strong. They soon reached the field and gently laid the plow on the ground. They hooked it up to the tractor and their dad took off. He was making quick work of the field with his new tractor. Suddenly his decision to purchase the tractor seemed like a great investment. He could easily double or even triple his work load and barely notice. He made up his mind to bring the tractor over to Teddy's and plow his fields too. After all the help his boys had given him over the years it would be the least he could do.
The tractor's engine cut into the stillness of the morning frightening most of the animals on the farm. It took both boys to calm them down. They decided to close them all up in the barn and stables respectively just to keep them quiet. This would also help Adam keep an eye on his father. By the time the boys got back up to the field their father had begun to plow his third row. It seemed to them the tractor could do anything. Not only was it strong, but it was fast. At this rate Adam figured they would easily have the field plowed in time for dinner.
Margaret arrived panting and out of breath and the look on her face told Ruth something wasn't right. She told her daughter Anna to go get her pappa. She grabbed a glass of water for Margaret and invited her to sit down at the table.
"Thank you Ruth," was all she could utter as she sank into the chair. She nearly gulped down the water, and had just caught her breath when Teddy came in.
"Ruth what's going on, Anna said you needed me?"
"Teddy, take one look at Margaret something isn't right over at her place, and I knew she'd want you to come over."
Teddy looked and sure enough Margaret looked like a caged bird with a cat sitting in front of an open door just waiting for her to try to escape. He couldn't imagine what could possibly make her this scared.
"Teddy, Ruth I am so sorry to scare you like this. It's John. He left again. It was over thirty minutes before we got him back this time. He keeps insisting that he plow the fields today, but I am worried about that new fangled machine he's got. My father read several stories about people dying when they try to fix them, and you know John he can fix anything."
"Margaret don't you worry your pretty little head. I'll go over and keep an eye on him right now. His tractor is so darn loud it scared my animals half to death, and I thought for sure we were in the middle of a war zone. I'll just tell him I want to see what his machine can do. If I know John he'll not only try to finish his fields before dinner, but he'll come over this side of the creek and plow mine too, just to show me how fast he can go."
They all laughed knowing that was exactly what John would do. For a few minutes the tension eased on Margaret's face, but it came back quickly knowing that her boys were over there alone with John, and she knew that if John couldn't get to a part he would have his boys reach in and grab it for him. Teddy recognized the look on her face, and assured her he was on his way. He asked Ruth to finish putting the animals in the barn so he could get over there. Margaret asked if she could use the phone to call the Doctor, and was told not to wait another second.
As the phone rang Margaret felt as if her world was falling apart. She managed to reach a nearby chair and pulled it over to the wall sinking into. When the Doctor finally answered she explained that John had left again and told him how long he had been gone. He tried to quiet her fears, but it was to no avail, Margaret knew she was losing John, she just wanted to know how much time she had left. The Doctor promised to be at her farm within the hour. Margaret hung up the phone and waited for her hands and her legs to stop shaking so she could go home. She pushed the chair back up to the table, and headed out the back door to find Anna.
"Anna," she called, "Anna where are you?"
"I'm over her Miss Margaret," came the reply of the little 6 year old.
Margaret headed over to the shade of the large apple tree planted so long ago. "Anna how would you like to come over to my house and play with Rebecka and Elizabeth?"
"Really? Oh Miss Margaret I would love to."
Margaret knew her girls would be delighted and so she took Anna's hand and told Ruth where they were going. Ruth decided to come with them and soon all of them were crossing the creek. When they got to the back door Margaret was delighted to find that all of the breakfast dishes had been done, and the girls had started dusting the rest of the house. The tears came quickly, and Margaret didn't even try to fight them back. She couldn't believe how thoughtful her little angels were. When they saw her they ran to give her a hug. Margaret wrapped her arms around them and kissed their cheeks.
"Oh girls this is the best surprise ever."
"Really Momma?"
"Really darling."
Anna couldn't wait anymore, she had come to play and play she would. She ran from her mother's grasp and as soon as Elizabeth saw her the moment was gone.
"Oh goody Anna's here, Anna's here," she squealed with delight.
They all ran outside to play, while Ruth busied herself helping Margaret finish up the chores. Margaret couldn't have the Doctor seeing her house out of order, though by anyone else's standards her home was never less than emacculate. Margaret hadn't realized just how much of her mother had rubbed off on her, but she also knew it would make her mother proud to see her now. Her children were strong and healthy, and beautiful. They were also respectful, and smart as a whip. Before she knew it the Doctor was knocking on her door. She rushed to let him in.
"Oh I am so glad you are here. I am so worried about John."
"I know you are Margaret, but remember his father was like this too, and he lived another ten years or so."
"I know Doctor and that's what worries me, I want more than ten more years with him."
"Alright Margaret now calm down, where is John?"
"He's out plowing that field. I have my boys and Teddy watching him."
"Didn't he buy a tractor last fall?"
"Yes, why yes he did why?"
"Margaret I don't want to alarm you, but those things are very loud, and well I don't hear anything but birds singing."
"Oh my goodness you're right!"
Without a moments hesitation she was running out the back door to the field. The Doctor followed behind her, but he seemed unhurried. He was hoping John was just adding more coal, and not attempting to work on the tractor. They got to the field, but only the boys were there, planting seeds for their crops. Margaret couldn't believe he had the entire field plowed. She was quite impressed.
"Boys where is your father?"
"He went over to plow Teddy's fields too. Teddy said he wanted to try it out, and well you know Pa he offered to do it for him."
"Alright boys that's where we'll be then."
Margaret was still nervous she didn't hear the tractor and with only Teddy there anything could happen. Ruth and the Doctor saw the fear in her face. They tried to calm her down, but they knew she wouldn't be calm until she her husband was fine. Margaret increased her pace to almost a run. When she got to the field she saw the tractor, she saw Teddy, but she didn't see her husband. This made her heart stop in her chest. She ran to the field. Teddy tried to stop her, but she knew something was wrong.
"John," she screamed, "John!"
She was nearly hysterical as she got to the heap lying on the ground covered in blood. The Doctor and Ruth had heard her screams and came running. John was covered in blood a horrifying look on his face. He reached up to stroke Margaret's face.
"I love you," he managed to choke out, "I should have listened to you."
At that point his eyes rolled back in his head. Margaret began crying. "No John you can't leave me like this!"
The Doctor had sent Ruth into the house for hot water and clean towels. Luckily he had his kit with him. He poured some alcohol on the wound and for the first time saw how mangled John's hand really was. His arm had been badly burned by the steam in the tractor's engine. When Ruth had returned with the water and towels the Doctor sent her for a pail of cool water and rags. Teddy just stood there knowing there was nothing he could do to help.
"Teddy get over her and help me," said the Doctor in a calm but authoritative tone.
Teddy came over not really wanting to see his friend lying there in his own blood. "What can I do to help," he barely got the words out he was so choked up.
"For starters you can stop crying and focus. Then I need you to hold him still while I try to straighten out the bones in his arm and his hand."
The Doctor was grateful John had passed out this would be really painful if he was still conscious. With Teddy holding his chest and shoulder down the Doctor reached in and began manipulating the bones until they were in the right spot or at least close to it. Several of the bones in his hand had been crushed, and the Doctor was doubtful he'd ever regain it's use.
"Teddy, I need you to tell us exactly what happened."
"Well John wanted to plow my fields so we brought the tractor and the plow over and got started. The machine slowed way down so John turned her off and we got more coal. He opened her up I dumped it in. She started right up and away he went. She just stopped so John shut her off and opened her up. She had plenty of coal so we couldn't figure out what was going on. I grabbed the bucket and John began pulling the coal out to get a better look. That's when he saw the problem. He reached in to grab one of the tools that somehow got in the bucket and when he tried to pull it out the machine pulled the other way taking his hand with it."
"Alright Teddy, that's what I needed to know. I am confused a bit though you said the machine was off, so how did it pull the tool and his hand in?"
"Oh well John was telling me that he had to be careful, because sometimes they have a mind of their own. I guess maybe it just kind of rolled forward after John pulled it back."
"That does make sense. Thanks for clearing that up. Did he say which tool was clogging up the chute?"
"Yes he did and that's what I don't understand. He said that my shoe pick was in there. I just can't figure out how that got in there when I keep it in the stable and the coal in the barn."
Ruth's face suddenly went white, and Teddy had to catch her so she wouldn't hit her head on the tractor. The Doctor had to splash water on her face to bring her to. Meanwhile Margaret continued dipping the rags in the cool water and placing them on John's burned arm. Tears were streaming down her face, but she didn't intend to let John die.
"Ruth what do you know about the tool John was trying to retrieve?"
"I saw Anna playing with it, and I told her to put it away, but she said she couldn't remember where it went. I told her to toss it in the bucket and you would put it away for her, but to not play with your tools ever again. When you dumped in the coal you must not have seen it. We musn't tell Anna about this. She'll think it's all her fault."
The Doctor agreed, and then set about his work with John. Once he finally got the bones straightened out he had Teddy grab him some flat straight wood from the barn. He wrapped this in clean rags and then wrapped John's mangled hand and arm on it so they wouldn't move. Then he set about bringing John back. | |
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