The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill."
Rainy weather has put a stop ta the field work around these parts fer a spell now. The cooler weather has slowed down plant growth a bit as well. They say this week is supposed to be a bit better. A lot of fellers are a hope'n so.
Wolfs' On The Prey
A pair of Wolfs' killed two huge 26 pound turkeys up north, south of Kirkwood a couple miles. I'm told Wolfs' head out early in the morn'n around 4:30 or so, ta sneak in place while turkeys are yet roost'n overhead in trees.
I guess these Wolfs' are gett'n quite elderly so it is not fer sure how long they will have the stamina to even go after such a big and smart bird as a turkey. Hopefully, they won't fall back on hunt'n some farmer's chickens.
Anyhow, this pair of Wolfs' waited stealthily and patiently along the South Henderson Creek bed, knowing full well them turkeys would come their way at daybreak. The birds could be heard gobbling before daylight, which alerted the Wolfs' they were in the correct place fer gett'n some turkey meat.
Well, it turns out them Wolfs' were spot on. At daybreak here comes the turkeys a strutt'n big as ya please. The Wolfs' picked out the biggest ones and shot simultaneously, Ca Bamm, Ca Bamm, Bruce and Rod Wolf got their prey, two twenty six pound turkeys fer some good family eat'n.
I shore enjoyed listen' to the boys tell this interest'n story on them Wolfs'. They are known for be'n good hunters around them parts up north.
The Strangers
Many years ago now, when I was but a lad, a stranger came to our rural communities. From the beginning, the neighbors were fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with their families. The stranger was quickly accepted and around from then on.
As the young'ns grew up, they never questioned his place in their families. In their young minds, he had a special niche.
In those days parents were complimentary instructors: Mothers taught their children good from evil, and Fathers taught them to obey.
But the stranger....he was a storyteller. He would keep everone, especially the young'ns, spellbound fer hours on end with adventures, mysteries, and comedies, and a heap of violence. In a way he became somewhat of a babysitter whilst mothers and fathers were busy. The young's soon became callus to violence, crime, deception, and lies. It became standard entertainment instead of something to be abhorred.
If'n ya wanted to know anything about politics, history, or science, he always knew, or at least had, the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future!
His political views were quite firm with no sway'n from what he viewed as the truth and only the truth. No leeway there.
He took rural families to their first major league ball game. He made many laugh and many cry at his bidding. The stranger never stopped talk'n, but the fathers of the community didn't seem to mind very much.
Sometimes, mothers would get up quietly whilst the rest of the family were shush'n each other to hear what the stranger had to say, and she would go somewhere, like the kitchen or sew'n room, fer some peace and quiet. Some would quietly and solemnly pray fer the stranger ta leave, ta no avail.
Fathers, in those days, ruled their household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obliged to honor them. Profanity, fer example, was not allowed in most rural homes, at that time-not from the children, their friends, or any visitors. The long time visitor, however, got away with 4-letter-words that at first burned ears, made father squirm, and mothers blush.
Fathers didn't permit the liberal use of alcohol but the stranger encouraged ever one to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished,
He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometime suggestive, and generally embarrassing. We now know early concepts about relationships here influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after incessant time, he opposed the values of the parents of the community and yet he was seldom rebuked..And NEVER asked to leave.
More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved into our rural community. He has blended right in but, is not nearly as fascinate'n as he was at first.
Still though, as you travel about the rural community today, you will still find him wait'n patiently fer someone to listen to him talk, influence opinions, and direct impressionable minds ta his way of think'n.
His name?
He is simply called "TV"
Well, there ya have it then, "food fer thought" as it was given to me.
The boys and I have spent a great deal of time discuss'n this one, with some expressions of guilt fer have'n allowed the stranger to influence their children negatively.
Have a good rest of the week. Hope'n to see you'ns in church this weekend.
Where ever ya is, what ever ya be a do'n, Be A Good One!
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
BARNYARD BRUKE