The Apprentice's Trail
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Some time after Christmas that year, I took what wares I had to show &
went to see Mr. Barr. It was late evening by the time I got there & he had he had gone up to his house on the hill above the shop. I went around to the back door where all the lights were on & knocked. Mr Barr came to the door & much to my relief, he not only remembered me, but warmly invited me in. His wife Blanch was putting dinner together & before I could get the words out as to why I was there, they both invited me to sit down & have some supper. Both of them wanted to know where I was from & who my people were. Where was I worked again? What all did we do there? Where did I live along the river & which way did I come into Jefferson? With all these questions I felt more at ease, but, as time past, I got to feeling as nervous as I was when I came to the back door & knocked. Somewhere in the flurry of questions, Mr. Barr finally asked me what brought me over there this time of day. I came straight to the point, "Well, Mr Barr I've come to ask if I could come to work for you." He got up from the table, walked over to the small sitting room just off the kitchen, and sat down in his big chair. With his head down & his hand rubbing his chin, he let go a soft chuckle. "I guess we don't really need much help down there. Ralph knows all there is to know." A short floor lamp sat next to his chair. In the low light I could see him smiling & thinking - his hand rubbing the front of his chin all the while. "Well sir," I said, "that is why I would like to work with you. You folks know 'bout all there is when it comes to furniture." About this time Blanch started moving dishes toward the sink. I got up to help & after my first load to the counter, she grabbed my shoulders, turned me to the sittting room, pointing to a chair by the small fireplace. Taking the seat, I went on, "Mr. Hoffman knows I am interested in working here. And though I've learned a good 'eal there these past two years, I really would like an opportunity to learn from you folks." He looked up at me, his eyes bright even in the dim light, "We've had fellows before. None of them stay longer than a couple of months. Say you've been over in Independence how long?" "Two years sir." "Well that's something," lowering his head to his open hand, chuckling a bit more. Blanch is rattling dishes this whole time, but she chimes in 'bout now, "Basil, it wouldn't hurt either you or Ralph to have a young fellow down there to help out." With his head still in his hand, he glances up, "When could you start?" I was startled a bit, "Well sir, I would have to finish up with the Hoffmans. I expect it would be sometime in late summer - say the first of September." "Fine, come see me then," his eyes completely closesd now as he talked. Mr. Barr was dozing & Blanch was finishing up the dishes. It was time for me to go. I stood to leave. His head rose from his hand as he opened his eyes. "I appreciate your time sir & supper was a real treat," I said glancing at them both, "I'll come by again sometime in August." "All right then," he said, getting up to see me out. You sit sir, I can find my way out," I insisted. He nodded OK, but continued to stand, as I stepped out of the kitchen alcove towards the back door. "Mrs. Barr, thank you again for supper," I turned to say as I passed out the door, onto the back porch. "Glad to have you. You come back," I heard her say. "Thank you ma'am." I stepped into a cold drizzly night; the kitchen door quietly closing, cutting off the warm light from inside. I sat in my VW bus. The drizzle pinging atop the roof, I thought, "he hadn't so much as asked to see anything I had done, but did want to know when I could start." Things seemed, somehow, familiar - as if we'd all expected it. I turned the key & the noisy beast came to life, drowning out the drizzle on the roof. |