LEON CHAPTER 4

Icy water
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Leon thought well, what now?  Here I am in San Francisco and it's a long way to Nome.  

 

He went down to the docks and enquired as to how much a ticket would cost to Nome.

The officer told him it would be One hundred and fifty dollars and they would leave in two weeks as the ice had began to melt.

Leon didn't have that kind of money so he had to earn it somehow. The ship was getting prepared for sailing and there was still a lot of work to be done.

Leon decided to go aboard and started to work with some of the crewman. They didn't know if he belonged on board or not. The captain wasn't sure if he had hired him along with all the others who were cleaning and painting.

The captain was impressed by the way Leon worked and he asked him who hired him. Leon said, “You did sir.” The captain said, “I sure don't remember doing that but keep up the good work.”

He remembered Leon's face and the reason was because Leon had inquired of him how much a ticket would cost to Nome.  The captain had been to some parties, and wasn't sure what he had done while he had been celebrating with the rest.

The time to sail was the next day.

When Leon asked the first mate what his job would be on the trip to which the mate answered and said, “What were you hired to do?”   Leon said, “To clean the rooms.” "Then report to the second mate for that is his job."

The next couple of hours were busy for Leon for he had to find out what his duties were and where the crew ate and slept and get settled in.

He found an empty bunk and stowed his gear and then sought out the second mate to tell him to make sure he was on the payroll.  He looked him up on the employee chart and said, “They must have missed you,” so he added his name to the register.

Leon felt pretty smart about the way he was going to Alaska even if he had to work.

He was glad most of his work was inside for it was still very cold on deck.  The trip was going to take over two weeks depending on how much ice they ran into.

Leon had enjoyed the train trip but sailing was more exciting as the ship went through the floating ice.  It looked strange to see the ice form on the deck and railings.  He had seen ice form on tree limbs but this was different because the crew had to break it off and push it overboard so the ship didn't get too heavy or one sided.

His duties only took him about four hours to do, but he was on call for the next six or more hours, and had to be standing by in case they needed him.

This meant he had to wear the ship's clothing most of the day and it was uncomfortable.  After two weeks they began to see lights on the coast of Alaska.  Most were small camp fires that trappers kept up to try to keep warm at night.

Leon was glad he was going to have a pay check at the end of the trip for he knew things were going to be more expensive in Nome.

 

In about three days they would be in Nome and Leon was surely looking forward to that.  He was wondering if he would see his Uncle Jack, but because Jack had gone to the Klondike, and he was going to Nome he didn't think he would.

It was early morning when Nome came into view and an hour later they were tied up at the dock. There was a huge crowd gathered at the dock for this was the first ship to arrive this year with goods they had been waiting for.

To be Continued

 

LEON CHAPTER 3

Train Ticket Taker
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Leon left the hotel with a feeling of accomplishment for he had convinced a total stranger to help him out.

He didn't like deceiving the Lady but what was he supposed to do?

If he said I want to go to the gold fields someone has to pay for my transportation for I don't have the money that would have been futile.

It was a long night sitting in the waiting area, but the thought he would soon be on his way to California made it more bearable.

The sun came up, and his benefactress came in with a porter in tow with her baggage. When she saw him she motioned for him to come on and they went to the ticket counter. She turned and asked "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

Leon quickly answered, “Yes I'm very sure.”  She turned and said, one ticket to San Francisco coach seating please. The ticket agent looked at her and wondered why a finely dressed lady would travel for six days in coach; nevertheless he filled out the ticket and stamped it.

She turned and gave him his ticket and said, “Let's get some breakfast for sometimes the meals on the train are not very good.”  Then she said, “This is my compartment number; we can have dinner together each day if you wish. Just make sure you wash up and don't get smelly.”

Leon walked through the train and got acquainted with the other passengers and when the train stopped at some stations there were people selling all kinds of food and cigarettes, and he would step off and buy some sandwiches and snacks.  

 

The diner car charged about four times as much for something to eat so Leon only ate there with Mrs. Loomis once a day (which she paid for).

The trip was long and tiring.  People played cards, checkers and read books to pass the time.

      
Leon asked the conductor how fast the train was going and he said, let me see. With that he took out his railroad watch and began counting the telegraph poles along side the railroad and when one minute had passed he knew how fast they were traveling.

The conductor knew how many poles were in a mile and he figured out how much time it took to travel a mile.  Leon thought that was pretty smart and wished he had a railroad watch that kept perfect time. The only one he ever had was an Ingersoll dollar watch which only lasted a year.

After dinner he would visit Mrs. Loomis in her compartment and talk for some time, she told him her name was Gabrielle and he could call her Ellie instead of Mrs. Loomis.

She had a large house on Nob Hill in San Francisco and had gone to New York to visit friends and do some business.  Leon couldn't imagine what it was like to deal in high finance but just talking to her was exciting.

They finally arrived in Oakland and had to take the ferry across the bay to San Francisco.  Leon had seen some large cities but there was something in the air in the Bay Area that was different from the other places.

He had told a grizzled old man he was going to the Klondike, and the man said that it is about played out and now Nome was the place to go.

In their conversation Mrs. Loomis gave Leon her address, and told him when he returned from Alaska to stop by and visit her.  

 

She was a very wise woman and knew something was amiss, and had guessed he was not there to visit a sick mother. 

She went on to say he probably needed some money, and she gave him a few dollars and said, “You will have to work your way to Nome and back.”

One last bit of advice she gave him was, “There will be more money made in Nome than in the gold fields.  It will be up to you to figure out how to discover it.”

 To be Continued

LEON Chapter 2

Roll of the Dice
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Leon didn't know exactly where the Klondike was, only it was west and north. After thinking it over he decided it would be best to go west first and then go north.

Leon didn't have the money for the train fare but he was determined to get there somehow.

Out side the train station he saw some guys shooting dice, and he stopped to watch.

 

After watching them for a while they told him to leave or start playing. Since they were just shooting for nickels and dimes he thought he could risk a quarter for he had two dollars.

After thirty minutes Leon had cleaned them to the tune of ten dollars. Then one of them wanted to put his gun in the game against the ten dollars Leon had won.  Leon said no he wouldn't do that but he would give him five dollars for the gun, and he could bet any way he wanted to.

Leon knew if he bet his money against the gun he might not ever get it but by buying it he would have it on his person and it would no longer belong to the other guy.  The man agreed and Leon put the weapon in his pocket.

Then Leon wanted to leave but the fellow wanted to roll the dice for the five dollars hoping to get his money and the gun back.  Leon didn't want to do that but the guy was persistent so the bet was on. The man insisted on rolling the dice and Leon agreed. Five dollars was the bet.

 

The man shook the dice violently and the rolled snake eyes.  Leon picked up his money and walked to the station without looking back.

Leon now had some money to eat on but still needed his ticket money.

He saw a nice hotel across from the train station and proceeded to go over there. When he went in he felt out of place for the people were all dressed in finery and his clothes were not only cheap looking but were not too clean.

He found a chair in a corner somewhat out of sight and sat and watched the people come and go.

Lady courtesy
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There was a woman in her forties who came down the stairs and by looking at her he could tell she must be rich.

She sat by herself and looked at the paper.

 

Leon remembered what his Uncle Jack had told him once, "There are some people who want to help poor people because it makes them feel superior to them."  Leon thought about those words and went over and sat down close to the woman.

He didn't know what to say to start a conversation with someone who had money, so he sat for a while saying nothing. The woman noticed him just sitting there and stared at him. Leon thought it's now or never and he said, “Pardon me for looking at your jewelry, but it is so beautiful I was wondering if the stones were real or if they were just glass.”

She stiffened up and said, “Young man I'll have you know I would never wear something cheap as that.”  Leon replied. “That's what I thought because I didn't think glass would look as good as that.

Before she could answer he said, “Is that fur around your neck real also?”

She gave him the same kind of answer to which he said, “Those eyes on it seem to be looking at me no matter how I move.”

She then asked what he was doing in the hotel for he looked out of place. Leon knew he had the opportunity now to tell her of his plight.  He started by saying, “It is cold outside, and I wanted to get warm but the real reason I am here is I'm trying to figure how I can earn enough money for a ticket to the west.”

Then his mind was working fast trying to think up a pitiful story to tell her.

He continued, “You see my mother is in San Francisco and she is deathly ill and she wrote me, wanting to see me before she died.  So far I've tried everything except stealing (which I couldn't do) to no avail.”

Then Leon pretended to weep. The lady gave him her handkerchief and asked him to please stop crying.  She told him that she was traveling to the west leaving on the morning train.

She said, “Meet me at the station tomorrow, and we will see about getting you a ticket.”   To be Continued   

LEON Chapter 1

A New Fictional Story begins today.  Sign up for "follow by e-mail" so as to not miss any of the exciting chapters.

Dad on the Road
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As our story begins Leon was ten years old, living with his mom and dad.

His father Sam Rooker, was several years older (about twenty years) than his mother June, she being his second wife.

His first wife died from one of the diseases that was going around, nobody knew exactly what it was, only that it took a lot of people to the grave.

Sam left home, supposedly looking for work, but he never returned.  Leon and his mother moved in with her sister May and her husband Jack so he was raised by what you might call his extended family.

There wasn't much difference between his aunt and his mother because either one would whack him good if they thought he needed it.

All in all Leon was a good boy but a youngster growing up is bound to get into some mischief sooner or later, especially if some cousins came over.

He was taught to do chores by the scruff of his neck and that method must have worked just fine for no one had to tell him more than once what was expected of him.

He was really close to his uncle Jack, sometime too close for Jack's comfort for there were times when Jack didn't want him along. When he was out with some of his men friends he tended to be a little bawdy especially after a nip or two. Jack didn't want Leon to pick up any of his bad habits at his young age.  Later on it would be up to him.

On one occasion Jack, after a nip or two bought a funny looking dog. Someone said he was a terrier. When Leon saw him he said his hair looks like wire, and began to call him wiry.

Jack and Leon went fishing quite often and now Wiry always went with them.  Despite of his looks he was a pretty good dog. He slept under the porch but if he heard any sound he was on the porch in an instant on guard.

Uncle Sam could fix anything
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Uncle Jack worked at the court house doing whatever needed doing. There was always something that needed fixing.

He made friends with all of the judges, lawyers and police in town so if he ever skirted the law nothing ever came of it mostly because they knew there wasn't anybody in town that could fix things as well as he could. 

 

Of course he fixed things for the police and judges when he was supposed to be working at the court house.

Jack always took good care of his family, but he could never get ahead.  

 

He felt he missed out for the California gold rush was before his time and it was his dream to strike it rich someday.  

There was another gold rush about the same time as the California rush in Australia but he missed that one also.

Then there came news that there was gold found in a place called the Klondike.  He didn't know where that was, but he decided he was a going there.

A few days later he was packed and ready to head out.  

He told Leon, who was about sixteen at this time to take care of his mom June and Aunt May along with everything else, and he would see him when he returned.

That didn't set to well with Leon and a few days later he packed a few things and also set out for the Klondike, hoping he would meet up with Jack somewhere along the way.

To be Continued   

 

 

IS AMERICA IN TROUBLE?

America In Trouble
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One might argue that America is in trouble and on a decline.

The public at large is in denial concerning this issue. 

Oh yes, they will admit there are a few problems but they can be handled. All we need is a few more laws.

Got a dope problem? Just make it legal. 

Crazy people killing people?  Pass a gun law. 

Family values being obliterated? Just give the destroying factors legal status.

These are political answers to problems that are not going away. Today we hear the political rulers justify their solutions that are bound to fail by saying, "This is what the American people want."

At this point I must point out that the problem with America is the rejection of the principals in the Ten Commandments.

By me saying this, those who disagree will have something to rail against.

1 Thou shall have no other God, the president has declared our country has many gods.

2. Thou shall not create idols to worship

3. Don't cuss (god damn is the most used phrase used today).

4. Set aside a day to honor God

5. Honor the parents, (care for the children)

6. Don't murder

7. Don't have illicit sex relations including deviant behavior.

8. Don't steal

9. Don't lie

10. Don't covet what doesn't belong to you

Commandments
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A return to these principles by each individual is the only hope for this country.

 

This post has been linked to Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

JASON CHAPTER 8

Today is the final Chapter in the story of Jason; but a new fictional continued story begins soon.  Please sign up to follow by e-mail so as to NOT miss any of the upcoming chapters.

Let's Tie the Knot
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It was difficult taking over a job that had been handled badly, but I was fortunate to have superiors that had been fighting men instead of desk jockeys, and they stood behind the decisions I had to make.

Sad to say some of the men I was working with had to be transferred.  I heard some of them were sent to ships that were active in the fighting.

One day while Lauren and I were shopping at the commissary Lauren noticed a display of rings.  I realized she had stopped and was carefully inspecting the wedding rings. She exclaimed, “Do you see that set over there?”   I said. “I can't help but see it.”

She asked the clerk if she could see them up close.  When he gave them to her, she slipped them on her finger and asked me, “How do you think these look on me?”  I replied, “I think they belong right where they are, don't you?”

Needless to say we bought them right then, for they were beautiful and also in our price range.

Later in the week we got a marriage license, and made an appointment with the base chaplain to get married.  I took a week off, and we went to San Francisco for our honeymoon.

When I was promoted I was able to secure a small house on the base to live in and Lauren moved in with all her worldly goods.

While in San Francisco I met an old friend who also knew Carme and he told me she wasn't dating and hadn't got married.

I felt sorry for her for if she didn't leave her folks she would end up being an old maid. Actually I hadn't thought about her since I left and didn't plan on thinking about her in the future.

Except for the war Lauren and I couldn't have been happier, but my job was a constant reminder of what the boys were going through on the front lines.
      
It's like that for every nation; their young men are slaughtered because selfish leaders can't agree. The weeks became months and then years.

Suddenly the war was over but that just added another layer to the work I was already doing.

Occupational forces required different supplies than attack forces.

There were contracts to cancel, and now we would be storing goods and equipment here instead of shipping it overseas.  Then there was the preparing to bring our men home that had done their job.

Dream of Peace
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I was hoping that this would be the last war our country would be in, but it seemed that those who were our enemies would now become our friends and our friends would become our enemies, and peace is just a dream.

 

As Lauren and I start our family, I can't help but wonder what the future will hold for our children and the coming generations.

 The End

 

JASON CHAPTER 7

Good Bye and So Long
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There is an old saying a sailor has a girl in every port but this sailor only has a girl in this port and I'm leaving and don't know if she is leaving with me.

I packed all my gear and headed to the air field for the flight to my next assignment.  I hadn't heard from Carme and figured that was the end to that.

Apparently her family had overruled my feelings for her and that was final. I don't know what their plans for her future were or if they had even thought about it beyond that she would stay with them and didn't need a husband.

In any case I boarded my flight and in a couple of hours I was getting settled into my new place.  It looked like I would spend the rest of my time in the service at a desk which suited me for I had all the action I wanted.

Every time I thought about going back to where the action was my wounds would begin to act up, and I would be reminded of what that had been like.

After a couple of months I had met some women at the base and had dated two or three of them.

There was one nice girl named Lauren who was very pleasant and soft spoken which I favored over the others.  She was one of the civilian workers and lived off base in her own apartment.  As time went by we were together more often, just being together and not considering it to be dating.

She was a very good cook and I would eat at her place at least once a week. We would shop at the commissary and take it home to her place and cook it. There was no stress in being with her and I enjoyed her company.

As I thought back at my time with Carme there was always a tenseness you could never get away from.  I had thought if we were married and away from her parents influence perhaps we could get by that.

Navy Ensign
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I was offered the opportunity to go to officers' training school and decided to accept the chance to move up in rank. This was more of a challenge than I thought, but with a lot of study I managed to master it.  After becoming an Ensign and I was told I would be stationed permanently where I am.

       
It was then that Lauren and I decided to get married.

I had never considered making the Navy a lifetime occupation but now I had reconsidered and decided this was a good move.  It took a little getting used to being saluted to where in times past I would initiate the salute.

My job consisted of accelerating the delivery of goods and equipment to the men that needed it. There were many things that could delay the movement of goods where they were needed which translated to me in lost lives; Such as red tape and paperwork just sitting on someone's desk and being ignored.

It appeared that I wasn't going to be popular with some of the people who were dragging their feet.  

I finally got the brass to convene a meeting where I explained the problems I was having, and I expected them to cooperate with me to solve these difficulties.

The last thing I said was, “If we don't perform quickly and smoothly we will be killing our own men by our neglect of our duties.

I suggest if you can't see the urgency of what I'm talking about then I think you need to serve on the front line with the men who are there, and are waiting on us to provide them with what they need.

I have been there and I will call out anyone who I see not doing their duty to those who are doing the fighting.”

To be Continued