RAILCAR GOLD Chapter 10 . . Work . . Part 6
RAILCAR GOLD is a historically accurate multi-generational fictional tale of hidden treasure, primarily set in York County, Pennsylvania during the latter half of the Nineteenth Century. This is Part 6 of Chapter 10 . . . Work. A new part will be posted every Thursday. Recent chapters stand alone, starting here; however new readers may want to start at the beginning.
CHAPTER 10 . . . WORK . . . Part 6
Charles Billmeyer had a talk with his son George the following evening about working at Billmeyer and Small after the school year ended. George was pleased that his Dad was going to let him experience the business end of the rail car manufacturing operations.
In the middle of their conversation, Charles asked George a direct, non-related, question; “You let that frog touch the pellet on purpose, didn’t you?” George looked at his Dad and reluctantly decided to tell the truth. He admitted, “Yes.”
George was not sure why his Dad asked the question. What would be his reaction to the admission?
Charles followed up with another question; “I know you’re very competitive, that had to be a difficult decision for you. Why did you do it?”
George admitted, “I wanted to see Sally win. Especially after she dedicated any championship to her sister Molly. Sally’s older brother is in my class. I remember him telling me the difficult time Sally was having after Molly died. It was just the right thing to do.” Charles praised George, “You made the right decision. I’m proud of you.”
The next day George admitted to Dan what he did. Dan took the news better than George expected, especially since Dan spent the majority of the time training Davy Croakett. George told Dan, “I promised Dad, that I would concentrate on work this summer and schooling during my senior year of high school. Davy Croakett and any additional frog jumping activities are totally in your hands from now on.”
George also revealed plans for possibly attending a college in Princeton, New Jersey. George admitted “That seems a long way in the future, however Dad says plans need to get started this fall.” The college remark did not interest Dan, other than briefly thinking I wonder where Princeton is located in relationship to Blackwood? Dan was much more excited to hear everything George was going to do, working at Billmeyer & Small, during the upcoming summer.
It did not take long for Dan to ask Charles Billmeyer about working at Billmeyer & Small. Charles told Dan, “You turn 15 on July 4th, I’ll let you work again, but only part time, and only after your birthday.
Dan had anticipated this response. Dan told Charles, “I’d rather work at the Car Shops, however if not, that will give me plenty of time to open a frog jumping school, to instruct owners on how to get their frogs to jump greater distances.” Dan knew how much Charles detested frog jumping as a complete waste of time, so he made up the story about a frog jumping school.
Dan never expected his plan would work so fast. Charles asked Dan, “If I let you work at the Car Shops, will you get rid of that blasted frog? Dan smiled and agreed.
Charles points to Dan, seeing right through his scheme, and sternly tells him, “I know what you did there. Let’s just say that you got your way this time, however don’t make a habit of that with me.” Dan muttered a, “Yes, sir.”
Charles comments, “I’m doing this because you’re a hard worker that took great pride in the part-time work you did last summer. That is a much more productive use of your time, rather than wasting time with stupid frogs. The foreman of the painting department has been bugging me to get you back this summer. Is that job acceptable with you.” Dan enthusiastically answered, “Yes!”
George and Dan planned to release Davy Croakett back into the Codorus Creek. Dan came up with another suggestion that appealed to George. They asked Sally if she wanted another frog for her pond. Sally had no idea if Davy would stay or wonder off, however she took him.
George and Dan decided to see if they could make some money on their development of the frog food pellet. Their logical choice was to contact Karl, who had exclaimed from the center of the jump ring, “I couldn’t get Max to jump for a hoot, but he seems to like this pellet bug.”
George approached Karl and offered, “I’ve gauged interest in selling rights on how to make our frog food pellets; I think we may be able to get one-dollar each with the condition that we sell no more than three such rights. As such, I’d be willing to sell exclusive rights, that is you’d be the only one with the recipe, on how to make our frog food pellets for three-dollars.”
Karl jumped at the deal so fast, George was sorry he had not set the price higher. The boys cleaned out the frog corner of the stable. No more frog jumping activities at the Billmeyer household, to Charles delight.
George and Dan thoroughly enjoyed working at the York Car Works that summer and looked forward to working there the following summer. In the fall of 1866 it was back to school for both of them. George was starting the 12th grade and Dan the 10th grade.
Go to Chapter 11, Part 1
