Adventures of Pudge

A WEEKEND ON THE FARM

Pudge’s friend, Dan was going to visit his cousin on a farm for the weekend and Pudge had been invited to go with him.

“Just you and me, no parents,” was Dan’s invitation. “Jeff’s a lot of fun. We can help him with the chores, and go fishing in

the creek, and just have fun. Ask your mom and dad, I don’t see why they won’t let you come.”

Pudge got permission from his parents with the understanding that he and Dan were going to be on their best behavior.

“I know how wild boys can get when they get together,” commented Mr. Hammond. “I don’t want to hear about the barn

burning down or any other nonsense.”

On Friday, after school, Dan and his father picked Pudge up at his house. Dan’s cousin lived only 20 miles away so it

was a short trip. “I’ll pick you up Sunday about four,” Dan’s father said to the boys. “Have fun.”

“Okay,” they both responded.

It was still early spring, too early for any crops to be planted. Trees were budding and grass in the meadows was making

its first appearance after a winter under the snow. It was the time of year when cows were put our to pasture for the first time

and then needed to be rounded up and herded back to the barn for milking. This was what Dan’s cousin, Jeff, was doing

when Pudge and Dan arrived. He was herding the dozen cows they owned into the barn after a day of munching grass in the

pasture. After Pudge was introduced to Jeff’s parents and the boys’ suitcases placed in an upstairs bedroom they helped

Jeff get the cows secured in their stalls.

“Tending the cows is my only chore right now,” Jeff stated. “In a couple of weeks we’ll start plowing so we can sow our

corn and alfalfa crops,” he added. “Until then things are kind of slow.”

Jeff, at 15, was a few years older than the other boys but he was small for his age and didn’t appear to be bothered by

the difference in their ages. After they had the cows settled Jeff showed them how to clean the cows to prepare them for

milking and then how to attach the milking machine.

“When we finish with the machine we have to strip the rest of the milk from them by hand,” said Jeff. He then showed

them how it was done.

When it was Pudge’s turn to try the stripping he was not able to obtain any milk, no matter how he tried. “I guess it’s not

my thing,” he said.

It took more than an hour to complete the milking process. The milk was then put into milk cans and stored in a large

refrigerator in the milk room, a small, very clean room in one corner of the barn. By this time it was dark outside and time for

them to go inside and clean up for supper.

Supper was chicken and dumplings followed by apple pie and all the milk we could drink. Pudge and Dan ate a hearty

meal and were amazed to watch Jeff and his parents consume twice as much as they did.

“When you live on a farm you get to be a big eater,” Jeff commented.

The following morning, after herding the cows out to pasture, Jeff suggested they go fishing in the creek. “I know a good

hole that’s good fishing right now. Later in the year it will be a good swimming hole, when the water gets warmer. We’ll take

my dad’s truck.”

Pudge was surprised when he heard this as he didn’t know 15 year olds could drive. When Jeff saw the look on Pudge’s

face he exclaimed, “Don’t worry, Pudge, we won’t be going on any roads except dirt roads in back of the barn; they’re all on

our property.” He then took them to a large pile of humus that had been formed from decaying plants and old hay. Here they

dug for worms and found many large, juicy ones to use for their fishing.

When they had gathered fishing tackle they all piled into the front seat of the truck. Jeff proved to be a good driver; from

this Pudge assumed he had been able to drive for some time. They drove out a bumpy, chuck-holed road into the woods

behind the barn. After making several turns onto even bumpier roads, and exper-iencing several jarring bumps in which the

truck seemed to bounce into the air, they arrived at the creek. The road continued on across the creek but Jeff pulled into a

clearing before the crossing and parked.

For the next hour or so the boys fished the large hole just upstream from the crossing. Luck was not with them, one

scrawny catfish which they threw back was their only catch. Jeff suggested they go back to the truck and drive to another hole

he thought might be better.

All three piled back into the truck and Jeff drove down the road to the creek crossing, where Jeff tried to drive across the

creek. At this point, without any warning, the rear wheels sank in up to the axle and the truck stalled.

“Oh, oh,” exclaimed Jeff. “I think I’ve done it. It’s never happened before; I forgot that it might be soft after all the snow

we had during the winter.”

Jeff tried repeatedly to start the truck engine, to no avail. Finally, the battery became too weak to turn the engine over. “I

guess we’ll have to walk back and get Dad,” said Jeff. “Our neighbor has a large truck, maybe he can pull us out. I’d better

tell Dad first, though; he’s not going to be very happy with me.”

Jeff’s father was furious at Jeff for doing what he called “such a dumb thing.” He called their neighbor and was able to

have him come with his truck. By connecting a chain to the stalled truck, after much slipping and sliding they were able to pull

it back onto the road. Then, by using jumper cables between the batteries, were able to get it started. Jeff, sheepishly,

climbed in back while his father drove back to the farm.

The next day, which was Sunday, was a day which Jeff’s family reserved for church functions and necessary chores.

Pudge and Dan helped with the chores and then accompanied the family to their church. The afternoon was spent quietly,

playing games until Dan’s father picked them up.