Chapter 10
Gus was up with the sun, working in the barn and waiting for the man he’d talked to on the phone about the job. He was getting concerned he hadn’t found anyone yet. Spring was here and the work was beginning to pile up.
The blue Mustang pulled into the drive and Lucky did her job as guard dog by sounding the alarm but when John got out of the car she melted. Gus met John with a hardy handshake while Lucky was sniffing his leg. The farmer quizzed the man about his farming experience and was disappointed he didn’t seem to have any at all. John was upfront about his situation, about how he actually was a licensed counselor, had recently relocated to the area and was having trouble finding a job in his field. He told the farmer he needed a job and would guarantee him that he would stay on for at least a year if he hired him. Gus watched the young man scratch Lucky behind the ears just like she like it. His car was clean as a whistle except for the dust from the gravel roads. He was polite and called him, Mr. Rogers throughout their conversation. Since he hadn’t had any better applicants and was running out of time he hired John with reservations. They agreed he would start in the morning.
John was happy and relieved he’d found employment although he wasn’t quite sure what he had gotten himself into. He struggled with the fact that he now had a master’s degree and was taking a job of manual labor. George reminded him that any honest work was honorable. George also reminded him that this was not something he was most likely to do for the rest of his life and that a year would go by before he knew it. His friend always seemed to say the right things and he trusted his judgment. Besides working on a farm might be a nice change and this kind of work seemed like such an ancient and respectable occupation and particularly for a big shot with a couple of degrees, an act of humility.
John went to the store and bought a pair of Redwing boots, four packages of white t-shirts and a couple pairs of wrangler jeans.
Gus was relieved when the new man showed up in the morning, and thought it a good sign he was actually early. Of course Lucky sounded the alarm when the pony car pulled into the drive. The two men shook hands after which the farmer suggested they start off by giving John a quick tour of the farm. They got into the cab of the ¾ ton pickup while Lucky loaded into the bed. The farmer pointed out where the equipment was stored, where the fuel tank was, the fields, pastures, the entrances to these. Gus explained which pastures were for the bulls and which were for the cows and horses. He explained which fields they would be planting corn, and which they would be planting beans and how they rotated these from year to year as to not deplete the soil of nutrients. Finally, he familiarized the new man with the tractor he would be using first, a 7030 large-frame John Deere ideal for planting row crops. He schooled the kid on the basic time frame on which they would need to get things done such as spraying for the broadleaf weeds with Roundup, fertilizing, planting and of course the harvesting. The seasoned old farmer showed the greenhorn around the shop, where they would be servicing and repairing tractors, trucks and equipment as needed. He reassured the new guy there was a lot to learn and not to be intimidated if he wasn’t getting it all. John had no idea how involved and complicated farming was.
Gus decided to get John on a tractor and get some work done. He gave John a detailed lesson on the John Deere and let him practice for a couple of hours in a pasture before turning him lose planting a hundred and twenty acres of corn.
So John spent his first day of farming fueling up the tractor, loading seed in the planter and planting long straight rows of corn. He would have gladly traded his new redwings for some old sneakers due to the blisters he was getting. And tomorrow he would be sure to wear a hat. The former New Yorker would nearly laugh out loud when he thought about what his friends back in New York would say if they could only see him now.
The sun was beginning to set on Howard County when Gus and Lucky appeared along side the field motioning for the hired help to kill the tractor. Gus hollered up to John, “Let’s call it a day” then told him to park his tractor in the barn next to the house.
After he’d parked the tractor the old guy offered the kid some iced tea and John was only too glad to accept. Tomorrow, along with that hat he would bring lunch and a big jug of water. The farmer noticed he was walking gingerly due to those new boots and his new white t-shirt was now a lovely earth tone. John had a headache, his feet hurt, he was hungry, and he was sun burnt, wind burnt and he felt like a million bucks.
When he got back to the motel room where he was staying, Muncie was beside himself. He was not happy about being left in a motel room all day, he had to pee so bad he was about to pop and yet he still acted as if he was happy to see John. He could have won an academy award for the performance he gave.
John called his mother to let her know he was no longer living in New York and was now living in Missouri. After she got over the initial shock, then disbelief, then anger about him not telling her sooner, she decided she liked the idea. She had never liked her baby living in New York doing God only knows what. When John moved to New York Mrs. Lincoln made him promise to be careful, what with this AIDS thing going around. She let it be known she wanted him to find a nice boy and settle down. John was uncomfortable having such conversations with his mother and only much later realized it wasn’tonly himself he had put at risk on those drunken episodes.
When he told her he had gotten a job on a farm there was silence on the phone. “A farm?” she asked. “What do you do on this farm?” He told her about planting corn and she echoed, “Planting corn?” This kid of hers never ceased to amaze her.
The next morning John got to the farm around seven; Gus was relieved to see him show up. Several times over the years he has seen men work one day and never come back. Gus had already given the cattle some hay, checked on some heifers that were about to calve and had made an call to the veterinarian to come out and check on one of the bulls who was having a problem with a hoof. While the vet was there he would have him give Lucky her shots. Gus was always amazed how a dog could take on a whole pack of coyotes and yet scream bloody murder when she got a little ole shot.
Gus offered the new hired hand a cup of coffee and although he’d already had his usual two cups he didn’t want to appear rude so he gratefully said, “Sure.”
They chit chatted a bit about the weather and what a beautiful morning it was. John was scratching Lucky’s ears as Gus said, “Well, let’s get started.” John replied with an enthusiastic, “Yes sir!” Then Gus said, “Before you get back to planting I need you to clean out the chicken coop.”
John remembered seeing the chicken coop so at least he knew where it was. Soon he found himself staring at a dozen of the meanest chickens he had ever seen in his life. They were begging him to come into their coop so they could rip him to shreds. John saw an old snow shovel leaning against the side of the coop and figured that was the chicken pooper scooper. As he unlatched the latch to go into the coop with the pooper scooper in hand the big Barred Rock rooster strutted up to the door like a prize fighter. John was embarrassed that he was afraid of a bunch of chickens but it was that rooster he had his eye on the most.
Just about that time Gus’s voice came from behind him and with a slight tone of impatience he hollered, “Just open the damn door.” As John opened the gate all the chickens streaked past him out into the yard clucking loudly. John quickly cleaned the chicken poop out of the coop and placed it in a metal trash container that sat next to the coop.
John was making his way across the yard toward the barn where he had parked the tractor when that big Barred Rock Rooster seized the opportunity to attack him from behind. John turned around just in time to see the big black and white rooster coming at him again. Any bravery abandoned him as he gave in to his first instinct which was to run as fast as he could.The rooster didn’t take a shine to any strangers anywhere near his harem of girls. He fully intended to flog the intruder with the spurs he wore until this invader was either dead or gone.
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br /> Gus and Lucky had been watching the whole drama and Gus had to say, “Whoa,” a couple of times to keep Lucky out of it. The old man was a little curious to see just how far the new man would run but after a minute or so finally took pity on him and hollered, “Don’t run” and then, “Face him” and then the game was over.
Gus had to turn away so the new man wouldn’t see him smiling. John and the rooster glared at each other as John walked past him on the way to the barn. He could have sworn all the chickens were laughing. Right there the city slicker decided he would knock that bastard’s head off if he ever did that again. Mr. Rooster sensed he had pushed the man as far as he was going to push him but he strutted off content that he had made his point.
Even Lucky had to wonder if this guy was cut out for farming.
It was around noon when Gus arrived alongside the field where John was working and motioned for him to come with him.
Seems a neighbor had called and told him about a bull that had showed up on his place. It was the bull with the bad hoof; evidently he was out of his mind with pain and had walked through a fence. There were some ladies, as Gus referred to cows as ladies, on the next farm and the enraged lovesick bull was chasing after them. John got in the truck with Gus and Gus explained the situation. They would have to separate the bull from the ladies and herd him back to the pasture where he belonged. This bull normally wasn’t much to worry about but get a bull around cows and no telling what he will do. The city boy wasn’t sure he was cut out for rustling bulls but found it all kind of exciting. Now, he was not only a farmer but had become a cowboy as well.
The old farmer, the new hand and Lucky all got out of the truck and made their way across the pasture towards the wayward bull. The neighbor who had called Gus arrived just about the same time. The bull was limping badly and crazy was written in his eyes.
John was impressed by the way Gus went right in after the runaway. It was as if he had no fear. He, on the other hand was terrified of this one ton creature which was pawing the ground and snorting, causing the dust to blow around making him look like a medieval fire breathing dragon. The other farmer seemed fearless as well. Lucky was thoroughly enjoying herself as this was an opportunity to chase something without getting in trouble for it. She darted in and out nipping the heels of the beast. Gus was waving his arms and shouting, “Get up bull!” knowing that showing no fear was his best strategy for getting the bull home.
The bull stood his ground, the pain radiating up from his hoof maddening him. Gus knew that if they could get him turned and headed for home he would go, but as long as he was making a stand he could be dangerous. Slobber was flinging from the bull’s nose and mouth as intense pain exploded in his hoof with each step he took. A dog was biting at his heels and men yelling and waving their arms. It was all too much for a bull that was used to peaceful grazing. He charged.
A ton of an infuriated bull was bearing down on the old farmer with amazing speed. Even a young man could not out run a charging bull. Gus moved as fast as he could to get away as the other farmer and John stood there helplessly. It was happening so fast and yet in slow motion. Gus stumbled in the tall fescue grass and went down to the ground; the bull was nearly upon him and it was looking very bad for the farmer.
Out of nowhere, a blur of fur sacrificed herself as she lunged for the soft tissue of the bull’s nose. Lucky’s fangs sank into her target with marksmanship precision. As far as she was concerned this bull was going to attack her master over her dead body. The bull never saw her coming and was doing everything he could do to shake off his attacker. The coyote fighter hung on for everything she was worth; she knew she had to give the man enough time to get clear. Without thinking about it John rushed in and helped Gus get to his feet. With help from the other farmer they all got to a safe distance from the crazed bull. Whenever Lucky could get her paws to the ground she would gain some leverage twisting and turning violently. With every ounce of her body she hung on for as long as she could.
She landed in the grass a few feet from the bull but was up to her feet in a split second ready for another go at the bull. Gus hollered her name and in that instant she came back to her senses. She was no match for this large and powerful beast and was fortunate to have not been seriously injured. Gus hollered again and with a quick read of the situation Lucky knew it was time to retreat. Between the men, their dog and his hoof the bull had had enough. With his nose now dripping blood he turned and limped for the safety of his familiar pasture.
Once they got him back home he calmed down enough they were able to corral him into a chute so the vet could give him a sedative and begin treating his ailing hoof. The antibiotics should also take care of his dog bitten nose. Of course there was a fence to mend. All three men had a whole new appreciation for the Collie/Sheppard mix from nowhere. From that day forward if they ever had any problem from that bull all they had to do was go get Lucky and he would straighten right up. He was terrified of the wicked little fury creature. The farmer knew his dog had likely saved his life. That evening he sat on the porch with his dog gently stroking her. He gave her half a beer for the soreness. She was pretty sore the next morning and the farmer tried to leave her inside but she would have of that. From then on Gus told everyone, “That’s one hell of a dog,” and Lucky knew that was the best compliment a dog would ever get from Gus Rogers.
The Pride of Howard County Page 11