The Apprentice's Trail
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The Home Stretch
Late July rolled around & I showed back up on a weekday afternoon. Much to my surprize, he had thought on the whole thing & was no longer interested. He was blunt, but honest. They didn't need any help & I probably didn't know enough to be of any real use. - and that was that - The next day was Friday. I showed up first thing. Colonel Barr was at his bench in the back. "Good morning," he said. "Mornin'. Mr. Barr, I thought about what you said yesterday & I wonder if maybe I could do your finishing for you." "You can use a [spray] gun can ya?" "Yessir." Now it seemed we had something to talk about. "What can you spray?" he asked. "Sealer, lacquer, NGR stains, wiping stains," I listed, holding up my end. He got up & motioned me to come on back with him. We walked out the back door, onto a short boardwalk & into the finishing building. Just inside was a small walnut chest - a drawer & two small doors. He pointed to the gun, the finishes & the sandpaper. "Well, let's see what you can do," as he closed the door & headed back over the boardwalk to the shop. About lunch time, I was spraying the lacquer top coat. He came back to have a look. He nodded. Maybe approvingly. I couldn't tell. Walking us into a backroom, he pointed to a cherry 5 drawer dresser. "Use the cherry sap stain first, then the wiping stain in here," he directed, pointing to a tall darkly stained cider jug. "Two coats of sealer & lacquer after that?" I asked. Nodding yes, he added, "If you need more sealer or lacquer, you'll have to get it out of these barrels," pointing to two 55 gallon drums. "The rags are over in the other room & call if you need help with the barrels. Its about eatin' time. You need a little money to get yourself somethin' to eat?" "No thank you sir. I have a sandwich in the car." "Good then. I believe my dinner is waitn' on me," he said, heading out the door, towards the house & whatever Blanch had rustled up to eat. By late that evening I was into the lacquer. I offered to stay longer, or come back on Saturday to finish. He said that would be all right, he could finish. "I'm goin' to pay you for today. $3.00/hr is what I have for you here," he said, handing me the cash. I hadn't expected to be paid, but thanked him & asked, "How 'bout my starting here in September?" "Thought you started today," he said, looking somewhat surprized. "Well, I'm still with Razor Ridge over in Independence & I told them I would stay on 'til the 1st of September," I reminded him - wincing a little I expect - "All right then, but I'll be looking for you 1st of the month." What a day. The pressure to do well had made it a long busy blur. But, I was through all that. The day was done, it was Friday, & I had turned a corner towards what was In the Wood. |