"Hello, boys, my name is Mr. Larry Grams; looks like you'll be working for me," he said as he looked up from his printing press, wearing a black apron, which helps cover the ink stains off the print. Mr. Grams was the run-of-the-mill guy and had been in the newspaper business forever. He still used the old printing press compared to the ones they use in the modern world. Made of wood and metal, he turns on the motor when satisfied using elbow grease and a turning drum of ink that is turned by hand.
He had gray-white hair and a thin white mustache and was the average height of five-foot-nine or so. He was strong as an ox with a pot belly that jiggled when he laughed. Mr. Grams had blue eyes, a round, soft complexion, an aristocratic nose, and a double chin. He said, "Yes, sir, we got work to do, boys, but I think you might want to change those clothes; you'll find them on your beds. I'll have your first set of papers ready in a few minutes when you get back," Mr. Grams said, going back to printing the papers.
The Sheriff and the boys wave thanks to him before leaving and going next door to the New Downing post offices. They enter the door and find Mr. Jason Rivers waiting at the counter for them.
Mr. Jonathan Rivers was the opposite of Mr. Grams; he was tall, reaching the height of six-foot-seven, at least as he towered over you. Brown hair cut short, and a lot younger than Mr. Gram. He had brown eyes and more of a chiseled face with a short, stubby nose, which seemed big compared to his small, round blue eyes hidden under his steel frame glasses on the end of his nose. He had larger hands and long fingers to go with his two long tree-branch arms. He gave them a quick nod as he finished with a customer at the counter.
"Hello, boys, Sheriff Whitmore. Top of the morning to ya. I see you brought me some new helpers since mine are elsewhere these days," Mr. Rivers said, smiling at the boys. Yes, sir, I sure could use the help, thanks, Sheriff. Just send them by when they're ready. I'll have their mailbags and packages waiting outside on their horses," he waved them goodbye, turning to the next customer at the counter.
The boys and the Sheriff leave and head back towards their cottage, where they find Ma and Pa waiting with Renee beside them, Ma giving each of her sons a kiss and a hug before letting them inside the door. Pa tells them how proud he is of them with a tear in his eye as he puts a hand on their shoulder. "You are on your way, son, in becoming a young man, leaving the boy behind," Pa said as he watched his sons go through that door. He whispered to himself, "What more could a father ask for?"
Once inside, the boys find three bunk beds, one for each boy, with a footlocker to store their clothes in and a nightstand with a cubby hole to place a keepsake or picture. On the beds are their uniforms for work, and they have hats to wear. Four pairs of jeans, four works shirts with patches that say New Downing News, and Post Boy with matching cowboy hats with the logo and sash for the horse. The cottage had a small kitchen and living room with a table and chairs for them all and a bathroom right down the hall with a tub.
There was a small pot belly stove for heat and wood stacked nearby to last a day or so with a tender box and ax for chopping more and a box of coal. The cabinets were filled. So was the small pantry with food and supplies, and a fridge was chucked full of meat and food. On the counter was a recipe box with instructions on preparing the food and what ingredients they would need to make it with. They had everything they needed, as if the boys were on their own, sitting on the bed, looking at each other, thinking of the mess they were in, and more so as Robert and Will looked at EJ next to them and out the bedroom window.
Robert, the oldest of the group, stood up and looked around the room. "Heck, this is not so bad," he said, looking around the room. We can do this; it could be worse, a lot worse," he looked over at EJ.
"How?" They all reply.
"For starters," Robert replies. "We could have nothing at all and have to start from scratch. Find a job and buy everything first to survive. They want to see if we can make go of it, and I know we can with little help and guidance from them. We will be just fine; besides, as we always say, don't sweat the small stuff. Let's change our clothes, stop hanging our heads, and go out there like men. Show them we can do it."
Putting forth his hand and lifting them off the bed, they quickly change their clothes, setting their farmer clothes and kitenge into the footlockers, and head out the door as young men on a mission.
They headed straight to the newspaper office, opening the door. "Mr. Grams, we are ready," they said as they lined up at the counter, all dressed in their uniforms.
Mr. Gram smiled at them and shook each of their hands. "Glad to meet you, boys. Alright, papers are ready," he said, pointing to the stack. I want you three boys. For today, EJ, Will, and Frank will start selling them at these corners. Yell at the top of your lungs the headlines of the front page that catch your interest at fifty cents a paper. Robert, Mark, and Peter, you go over to Mr. River's Post Office today."
"Yes, sir," they replied.
Robert and the two boys head over next door, leaving the other three with a pat on the back and whispering, "See you later, alligator."
They whispered back, "See ya later, bunkmate."
The boys noted the three horses outside with saddles and bags filled with letters and packages. They whistled. "Wholly cow, it's going to be a long day," as their eyes popped out of their heads, and walked inside the post office.
"Hello, boys, your horses are ready," and handing them each a list with a route map of directions with the addresses on it. "Now then, to make it a little fun," he said as he laughed, slapping a five-dollar bill on the counter. "The first one done with his route walks through that door and gets this. One, two, three, go." The boys run out the door as fast as they can, jumping on their horses, kicking dirt, and heading in three different directions with a letter or package in hand. Mr. Rivers laughed, watching them go with dust flying down the road. "Yep, works every time," rubbing his chin, laughs. Thinking of Ned and Bill, he sighs. Yes, sir, what more can a postman ask for?
Mr. Gram sets up a nice crate for EJ with a pile of newspapers beside him on his corner to sell in full view of him and the Sheriff's men. He places the other boys on the other two corners, selling theirs as well. He would occasionally sit outside and listen to them yell, selling their little hearts out. "Extra, extra, read all about it. Chicken with two heads" or "Cow with three legs. Mother gives birth to four babies." Every once in a while, they change the headlines to sell more papers. "Death looking for a wife, seen stalking the area. Downing Villa filled with ghosts."
People would start crowding around them, buying paper after paper and reading them. Rubbing his chin, thinking of Chris and Brad, he sighs. "Yes, sir," laughing, watching these three boys and their little headliners. What more could a newspaperman ask for?"
Mr. Grams nods to the Sheriff, and his boys go back inside.
Pa and Richard head for the farm to check on things there since the boys are busy doing other things. He smiles, thinking of his youth and what memories they had growing up. Loading things up in the wagon, the tools, and the things they were going to need for the day, they head out.
Wayne hands the reins to Richard to drive and smiles. Richard calmly flicks his wrist like an old pro as Wayne settles back and enjoys the ride back to the farm. Yes, sir, this young lad has come a long way, as Wayne smiles at him. What a fine young man he has turned out to be. His father would have been proud of him.
When they arrived back at the farm, the gang was working away on the house and laying the brick, walls, chimneys, and lines for the water and electricity inside the home. Well, boys, it's about time you got here," as the men from the house laugh at Wayne and Richard laughing. They quickly put on their belts and joined the boys to help them rebuild their new house.
"Yes, sir, Richard, it does look like we will be in it by spring," he laughed as he watched the twenty farmers help rebuild his house.
"Richard, can you give me a hand over here with these bricks?" Mr. Stringham asked, looking down from his scaffolding high in the sky.
"Yes, sir. What do you need me to do?" Richard asked, blocking the sun from his eyes.
"Well, son, just hoists me up. More mud and brick from time to time would be just fine," Mr. Stringham said, pointing over the pile of bricks over there. The men came all around to help work on the house. With all the help, they figured finishing the fruit cellar and most of the brickwork for the house's chimneys would only take two days. With a song in their heart and a whistle, they would blow to work as they rolled up their sleeves, worked till dusk, and then played and danced the night away.
* * * *
Racing down the road to the next house, Robert and his horse ran over the creek down through the field, with dirt and mud flying in the air with a package under his arms. He had one more to go, and then he was through, thinking about that five-dollar bill on the counter. He was headed for Mr. Tucker's farms; he knew it well as he jumped over the gully and down through the field. He quickly sees his target on the porch and tips his hat. "Howdy, ma'am, this is for you." Then, with a quick turn of the horse, he heads back towards New Downing as fast as possible. His body is lying flat against his horse, and he feels his heart racing. The wind flying past him and his horse and him are one and the same as he leaps in the air, gliding along, zig-zagging left, then to the right. Robert could see the town just up ahead. He looks up for just a moment as he passes the farm, waves to his Pa and Richard working on the house, then speeds faster, leaping over and down the gully, down the other side, and across the creek.
Not far behind, he could see Mark and Peter. Then, watching them ride, a thought popped into his mind: "Why do I need this five-dollar bill? I have everything I need." He thought of his family and EJ and what he did have and didn't have.
Robert slows back the reins on the horse just a little so they can get ahead. After all, make them work for it, not throw in the towel. As he smiles, pretend you didn't get there first; second is always best and is not last. Robert waits for the moment, then speeds up just at the moment, then as he comes around the corner, down the street. Robert flies off his horse and watches Mark pick up the five-dollar bill right when he enters the door. Robert sticks out his hand to congratulate him with a pat on the back for a job well done as Robert looks at Mr. Rivers and winks back. After all, friends are more important than money; he would have to say that in any old day.
It was time to head home with his new roommates and brothers, as they put their arms around each other's shoulders and waved goodbye. "See you on Monday after school." Plus, depending on the job, they can only work three to four hours a day or less. Because of their age, labor laws apply even here, and these are nice town folk around here. They wave goodbye to the boys, sending them on their way. Yes, sir, what more could a postman and newsman ask for than friends and brothers walking down the street?
When they return to their cottage, they go home to collect their things for the next two weeks. Robert Will and EJ are giving their Ma, sisters, and three little ones a hug before leaving; after all, they are just going next door so that it won't be far. Anna and Julie, with a tear in their eye, will miss them all the same. As they watch the boy leave, they turn into young men right before their eyes. With a pillowcase in hand, the boys head out the door, go inside their little cottage, and close the door with a sigh. Knowing it was time to break childhood bonds to become that young man.
They all stepped forward towards the beds, nodding and whispering. "Yes, we can, let's do it," as they put their things away and changed their clothes. With Robert in charge, since he was the oldest of the group, they sat at the table and made a list of all the things they needed to do, what, when, and who on the schedule for the next two weeks they would be organized. The first thing on the list was supper; the boys all decided to help regarding this to the list. Leave most of the cooking to the individual whose turn was on the schedule so it would still be a team effort.
Today was Will's turn for his meal; they thought they'd try to fix roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, hot biscuits, and apple cobbler for dessert. They all started by doing the prep, like peeling the spuds and the carrots and setting the table for dinner while Will gathered the ingredients for the biscuits and the roast.
Soon, there was a knock at the door; it was Renee, Frank, and Mark's mother. "Hello, boys," she said, looking around the room, smiling, and finding a chair to sit on. "Alright, boys, who's the chef today?"
"I am," Will answers, handing her a list of what's on the menu.
She nodded. "If you have any questions, just ask me so I can show you, ok?" She said.
"Yes, ma'am," Will, reads the recipe for preparing the roast. "Ma'am, it says a pinch of this or some of this and a handful of this. How much is a pinch, and how much is a handful?" He asked. Renee smiles, gets up from her chair, walks over, looks at the recipe, nods, opens a bag of salt, and shows him, then puts the ingredients back into the bag. He sits back down and watches him do it himself as he sets the roast in the oven at 350 degrees, as the recipe says.
Renee smiles and nods, watching him check it off the list. At the same time, Peter heads down to the bathroom with towels to take a bath. She nods and watches Mark and Robert go outside with the ax to chop firewood, leaving EJ in the kitchen to help Will with supper by setting the kettle on for the potatoes to boil.
Will starts making the biscuits and following the recipe. "It looks like you made these before," she notes.
"Yes, ma'am, a couple of times," he said. After a few minutes, Peter comes out of the bathroom from his bath and into the kitchen, which is all nice and clean. He trades places with EJ in the kitchen as he goes down to the bathroom for his bath. Peter pulls a sack of apples and peels them for the apple cobbler. Will checks on the roast, taking some of the drippings for the gravy from the roast. Check the potatoes to see if they're ready for smashing. "Not quite yet," he said as he stabs them with a fork and starts making the sauce for the cobbler and the gravy.
EJ comes out of the bathroom, joins Peter and Will in the kitchen, and begins rolling out the dough for the biscuits as Mark and Robert go into the house with stacks of wood and place it in the pile with the rest. Mark heads down to the bathroom for his bath. While Robert starts a small fire in the pot belly stove for the night, placing a little bit of coal in the pot belly stove. Then he comes over, washes his hands, and helps with the gravy and cobbler.
Renee notes. "You have done this before," she said.
"Yes, ma'am, a couple of times," Robert replies. Soon, Mark comes out to join the boys, checking the list, tasting the gravy, and helping EJ mash the potatoes. Robert heads down to the bathroom to take his bath before supper. Will pulls out the roast to cool and puts in the biscuits and the cobbler while tasting the gravy, adding a little salt and pepper as he checks it off the list as Mark, EJ, and Peter clean up the kitchen and finish setting the table.
Soon, Robert comes out to join them, and Will goes down, passing the hat, and nods to Robert. Robert puts the roast on a platter and on the table. The boys place the food on the table, setting the biscuits and the cobbler to cool on the counter. Soon, Will comes out fresh and clean like the other boys, joining all his roommates and buddies at the table. "We knew you boys could do it," Renee said, looking at this fine meal, "do you mind if I join you boys?" she asked.
"No, ma'am, we'd be honored," as they set her a place at the table. Will stands up like Pa, Robert, and EJ smile. "I would like to make a toast to our friends and our guests. May we always be friends forever, and our feelings for you never change. May you always feel welcome in our little cottage." Then Will sits down grinning, Robert and EJ smile and pat him on the back for a job well done.
The boys ate well that night, sharing their meal with Mrs. Whitmore and discussing what they did today and the people they met along the way. They shared some of their adventures with their new roommates from the lumber mill and the sheep ranch. After dessert, she excused herself and thanked them for a lovely evening. Let her boys walk her home next door to say goodnight, giving the Sheriff's boys a nod and a wink to her husband.
She gently kissed them on the cheek, whispered in their ear how proud she was of them, and wished them a good night. "Thanks, Ma," they said, kissing her back with a hug and watching her go through the door. They could almost hear her sigh. Mark and Frank returned to their cottage, helping their roommates clear the table and finish doing the dishes while Robert added more wood and another piece of coal to the pot belly stove for the night.
After everything was put away for the night, the boys were worn out from the day and knew that they needed to get up early so they could all help work on the house. But now they also had to take care of themselves first, which would mean preparing breakfast and lunch.
The hard part will be getting up in the morning without their alarm clock. "Robert, I miss Mr. Rooster. Can we build a pin outside for him near us tomorrow?" EJ asked.
"Heck, why didn't you say that in the first place, EJ?" Robert jumped down from his bed. "Let's go get him now. It shouldn't take more than an hour or so to move him right next to our window. Pa would love it; it will make them feel more like home."
Of course, he thought that if Mr. Rooster's pin blocked the window, nobody could spy on EJ or them.