RAILCAR GOLD Chapter 6 . . Independence . . Part 4
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 4 of Chapter 6 . . . Independence. A new part will be posted every Thursday. New readers may want to start at the beginning.
CHAPTER 6 . . . INDEPENDENCE . . . Part 4
The stable loft contained two beds. Charles pointed to the bed near the steps, “That will be your bed. The other bed will be filled in a few days, after I hire someone to care for my horses and drive my carriage.”
Dan asked, “That’s something I could do, if you’re willing to give me a chance.” Charles raised his eyebrows and told Dan, “I don’t know where you come from; however driving carriages in the commotion of city streets takes a skilled driver. Stay away from my horses. I’m interviewing two drivers tomorrow, you’re welcome to watch with my son; he finds it entertaining.”
Dan had a good nights sleep. He was up bright and early; sitting on a bench in front of the stable when a boy came out of the house and approached. “Hi Dan, name’s George. I’m Charles son, join me in the kitchen for some ham and eggs.” Dan shook the hand that George extended and followed him into the kitchen.
George was curious, he wanted to know how Dan ended up in York; he wanted the whole adventure. Dan admitted he stowed away in a railcar with another orphan; however told a white lie in noting they snuck into the railcar in Philadelphia.
Dan had an immediate positive connection with George; he felt that he could be trusted. Dan relayed his experience from Columbia to York, unaltered. Dan also included everything he experienced in York, including having all his belongings stolen.
George urged, “You have to watch my Dad interview drivers. It will be fun, he is very demanding.” Dan asked, “What happened to your old driver?” George confessed, “He got lured away by another family. He was a skillful driver and took good care of the horses, however had absolutely no personality; I was glad to see him go.”
George and Dan were admiring the horses when Charles approached with one of the drivers to be interviewed. Charles went about going through a very detailed set of instructions; everything from which harness to use to driving specifics in the streets; then he shut up.
Charles watched the driver intently, while he got the horse and carriage ready. Charles, George and Dan got into the carriage, after which the driver took them around the city per the earlier instructions. All the while, Charles continued marking things on a sheet of paper. The driver finished by putting the carriage away and brushing down the horse.
Charles told the driver, “I’ll let you know my decision by Monday.” The second driver had already arrived. Charles when through the same routine with the instructions; the only difference, they used one of the other horses for the carriage ride.
After the second driver brushed down the horse and had left, Charles turned, looked directly at Dan and asked, “Which driver you hire?” Without hesitation, Dan said, “Neither.” Charles asked why, to which Dan replied, “Both of them either had a lot of mistakes or they did not know what they were doing.”
Charles continued his line of questioning, “Which driver made the fewer mistakes?” Dan answered, “the first driver was a little better but both made at least two dozen mistakes.” Charles commented as he stormed off to the house, “you got that right Dan, I wouldn’t hire either of those guys.”
Go to Part 5
