We all have a history, and a good story

History, maybe not even that far back, gives a lot of good material to build a story around. 

Some of us have been blessed to have lived in a time that is rich in historical events. Which is a kind way of saying that, “You are older than dirt!” 

It goes without speaking that I fit into that category. So, I have taken some of that proverbial history and developed the story in the form of rhythm and rhyme which sometimes requires an extra amount of creativity, or as some have so accurately termed, “Slavering it thick on the Blarney Stone.” 

Now I am quick to tell you if I consider my writings to be a true story, though there are times that the facts just might be embellished a wee bit. This tale is based on a true story and I have only embellished where I thought it was needed. 

The Catheys have always been considered somber, maybe even a bit stern at times and its said that you can always tell a Cathey … but you can’t tell them much.  

He was my dad’s uncle; we called him “Uncle Jack.” I was just a sprout, but the story, as I recall it, goes something like this. Uncle Jack was a confirmed bachelor and he lived near Purvis, Texas, on the old Cathey place with his spinister sister, Angie. 

He had just acquired a T Model and had built a small one car garage to house it in. He was a horseman but had driven the T Model to the sale barn in Dublin, Texas, and was headed home. My Ol’ Daddy would have said, “you can teach old dogs new tricks, but sometimes their thoughts get tangled in their past!” That inspires this poem.

 

That Infernal Contraption! 

 

The peaceful quiet of this western town,

was shattered by a banshee’s squall,

that could turn a smile into a frown,

Spookin’ the stoutest among them all!

 

Like a dark cloud in bright mid-day,

it roared an’ popped an’ floated through,

reapin’ havoc along the way,

scarin’ kids an’ dogs as it flew.

 

Town drunks shivered an’ swore to quit,

as the women hid their children. 

Men came runnin’ lickety-split ,

yet on it came, with that awful den.

 

Jest what was causin’ that ruckus?

Horses spooked from the rollin’ thunder.

Then it swooped in among us,

an’ folks shook their heads in wonder.

 

That infernal contraption sped,

as Uncle Jack held on fer dear life.

He planned to park it in the shed,

but cut through it like a knife.

 

Next in line was our pore outhouse,

that got tumped over on it’s side.

The hired man crawled out meek as a mouse,

too faint to stand, tho he shore tried.

 

Debris flew an’ cuss words were heard,

as that dang contraption shot by.

A scene that was quite absurd,

‘cuz Sears Roebuck was on the fly.

 

Those catalog pages in the air,

looked like giant snowflakes as they flew.

An’ that ain’t all that scattered there,

best left untouched, I’m tellin’ you.

 

Then they headed fer Ma’s henhouse,

with Uncle Jack a-shoutin’ whoa!

Hit the clothesline, snagged a pink blouse,

an’ shut off his vision on the go. 

 

That infernal contraption swerved past,

sparin’ the henhouse in it’s path.

Careened around some trees at last,

seemed destined now to take a bath.

 

‘Cuz it swerved toward the pond so near.

Aunt Angie waved an’ gave a shout,

but pore Uncle Jack could not hear.

Nor see, with blouse wrapped about.

 

But on the wheel, he was a-rearin’ back,

an’ a-shoutin’ “whoa” plenty loud!

But he hit that pond with a smack,

an’ water covered him like a shroud.

 

They sunk to the bottom spewin’ steam,

Then, it stuck in the squishy mud.

He sat there like a ruler, so supreme,

contemplatin’ murder in cold blood.

 

 

Uncle Jack let his anger spew

an’ took out his frustration.

Allowin’ as how he wuz through

with that infernal contraption!

 

Said they started off okay

With roar an’ clatter, an’a pop!

Warn’t no trick to find his way,

But it was pure dee hell to stop!!

Ol’ Jim Cathey

 

A smile is to a face as a fragrance is to a flower!

Gd Bess each one of you and God Bless America!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rosebud News

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
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