It had snowed all of the previous
day and throughout most of the night. The total accumulation was over a foot in
most of the town, with some drifts over two feet. The snow that had piled up from the December
storms left piles in some places that towered above the houses. While the
town’s residents had all done their duty and shoveled off the snow from the
front of their houses, the easiest place to put the snow was in the
street. The result was that the streets were
never really cleared. While the street had compacted snow from the various
people, animals, wagons, and sleds that traveled through the town, there were
spots where the snow had melted and re-frozen into a slippery icy mess.
day and throughout most of the night. The total accumulation was over a foot in
most of the town, with some drifts over two feet. The snow that had piled up from the December
storms left piles in some places that towered above the houses. While the
town’s residents had all done their duty and shoveled off the snow from the
front of their houses, the easiest place to put the snow was in the
street. The result was that the streets were
never really cleared. While the street had compacted snow from the various
people, animals, wagons, and sleds that traveled through the town, there were
spots where the snow had melted and re-frozen into a slippery icy mess.
The recent snow covered that ice
and made for a dangerous trip for the town’s people. Most of them were carefully negotiating those
places where the ice was visible. While
the people could avoid the ice and the worst of the snow, the horses that
pulled the sleds and the wagons could not. Their lot required that they travel
the same lanes over and over, stopping in the same places along the streets to
load or off-load their passengers and freight.
The freight horses had the worst of it since they had to stand on the
ice and in deep snows for protracted periods of time, while their wagons and
heavy sleds were loaded or emptied.
and made for a dangerous trip for the town’s people. Most of them were carefully negotiating those
places where the ice was visible. While
the people could avoid the ice and the worst of the snow, the horses that
pulled the sleds and the wagons could not. Their lot required that they travel
the same lanes over and over, stopping in the same places along the streets to
load or off-load their passengers and freight.
The freight horses had the worst of it since they had to stand on the
ice and in deep snows for protracted periods of time, while their wagons and
heavy sleds were loaded or emptied.
The drivers of those conveyances
would stand and complain about how slowly their wagons were emptied by the shop
assistants for the stores they serviced.
Often they would leave their wagons or sleighs and go into the nearest
tavern or inn for a hot drink. They
didn’t invite the horses to go with them, and they didn’t bring back any scraps
for them when they returned to their wagons. Some of the drivers had wrapped
their teams legs with rags to try to keep them warm, but for the most part the
rags had gotten wet and were now frozen to the legs of the horses.
would stand and complain about how slowly their wagons were emptied by the shop
assistants for the stores they serviced.
Often they would leave their wagons or sleighs and go into the nearest
tavern or inn for a hot drink. They
didn’t invite the horses to go with them, and they didn’t bring back any scraps
for them when they returned to their wagons. Some of the drivers had wrapped
their teams legs with rags to try to keep them warm, but for the most part the
rags had gotten wet and were now frozen to the legs of the horses.
One particular team seemed to
suffer the most. Their heavy sleigh was
always loaded to the rim, and they seem to have the most runs of any of the
delivery companies. The driver, who was
also the owner of the company, was able to get plenty of business since he
charged the lowest freight rates in the town. Mr. Analweiss was able to charge
those rates and still make a hefty profit because of his treatment of his “equipment,”
as he called both his sleigh and the team that pulled it.
suffer the most. Their heavy sleigh was
always loaded to the rim, and they seem to have the most runs of any of the
delivery companies. The driver, who was
also the owner of the company, was able to get plenty of business since he
charged the lowest freight rates in the town. Mr. Analweiss was able to charge
those rates and still make a hefty profit because of his treatment of his “equipment,”
as he called both his sleigh and the team that pulled it.
The team that hauled his sled was
the sorriest group of four horses in the town. Anyone could tell that they were
skinniest equines around. While many of
those who kept and used horses in the winter made sure that the feed was more
plentiful, Analweiss took no such measure.
He fed his horses less than others in the warm months and felt no need
to add to his cost by buying extra feed during the winter months. He had a
brother in the next county who bred horses.
Whenever one of Analweiss’ team went lame or simply couldn’t get out of
the stable in the morning, he would take the horse over to the abattoir and
sell the animal for meat. His brother
provided replacements on the cheap.
the sorriest group of four horses in the town. Anyone could tell that they were
skinniest equines around. While many of
those who kept and used horses in the winter made sure that the feed was more
plentiful, Analweiss took no such measure.
He fed his horses less than others in the warm months and felt no need
to add to his cost by buying extra feed during the winter months. He had a
brother in the next county who bred horses.
Whenever one of Analweiss’ team went lame or simply couldn’t get out of
the stable in the morning, he would take the horse over to the abattoir and
sell the animal for meat. His brother
provided replacements on the cheap.
The sled that Analweiss used was
not fancy. In fact it really wasn’t more
than a flat platform, with runners underneath.
As for the horses’ tack, it was the simplest and cheapest possible. It didn’t even have the bells that all the
other sleighs used. Those bells, that let
others know that the sled was coming their way, were a waste of good money as
far as Analweiss was concerned. People
should watch where they go and look out for his sled. If they didn’t, then it was their bad luck if
they were startled by the arrival of the sled.
If they had to jump out of the way, then good riddance.
not fancy. In fact it really wasn’t more
than a flat platform, with runners underneath.
As for the horses’ tack, it was the simplest and cheapest possible. It didn’t even have the bells that all the
other sleighs used. Those bells, that let
others know that the sled was coming their way, were a waste of good money as
far as Analweiss was concerned. People
should watch where they go and look out for his sled. If they didn’t, then it was their bad luck if
they were startled by the arrival of the sled.
If they had to jump out of the way, then good riddance.
Analwiess had already made two
deliveries that morning and was about to finish the third. While the sled was being unloaded by the
store‘s workers, he was next door at the pub having a “hot toddy” to warm his
poor bones. The pub’s owner was talking with Analweiss as he drank. Normally Frank, the owner, wouldn’t have
bothered with Analweiss as he thought of him as a most disagreeable human
being. He used him to get his kegs and
bottles delivered from the rail siding and the warehouse but preferred to avoid
contact. Being known as Analweiss’
friend would be bad for business. It
wasn’t that Analweiss had a bad reputation as a despicable person, he was
despicable.
deliveries that morning and was about to finish the third. While the sled was being unloaded by the
store‘s workers, he was next door at the pub having a “hot toddy” to warm his
poor bones. The pub’s owner was talking with Analweiss as he drank. Normally Frank, the owner, wouldn’t have
bothered with Analweiss as he thought of him as a most disagreeable human
being. He used him to get his kegs and
bottles delivered from the rail siding and the warehouse but preferred to avoid
contact. Being known as Analweiss’
friend would be bad for business. It
wasn’t that Analweiss had a bad reputation as a despicable person, he was
despicable.
Analweiss treated most people no
better than he treated his horses. They
were to be used and discarded when he was through with them. If not for his low
rates, he wouldn’t have had a single customer. But his rates were the lowest,
and he did have customers who always paid on delivery. They had to pay as Analweiss
did not extend credit. As far as Frank was concerned Analweiss’ money was as
good as anyone else’s, and since no one had come into the pub that morning, his
money was the only cash that was going into the till.
better than he treated his horses. They
were to be used and discarded when he was through with them. If not for his low
rates, he wouldn’t have had a single customer. But his rates were the lowest,
and he did have customers who always paid on delivery. They had to pay as Analweiss
did not extend credit. As far as Frank was concerned Analweiss’ money was as
good as anyone else’s, and since no one had come into the pub that morning, his
money was the only cash that was going into the till.
Frank stood across the bar from Analweiss,
who was drinking, but at the same time watching his sled being unloaded. Frank
thought he would try the weather as a topic. “I thought the snow wasn’t going
to stop last night. It took me almost an hour to shovel out the front of the
pub.”
who was drinking, but at the same time watching his sled being unloaded. Frank
thought he would try the weather as a topic. “I thought the snow wasn’t going
to stop last night. It took me almost an hour to shovel out the front of the
pub.”
Analweiss, who had finished his
first drink and was thinking about another, looked away from the window long
enough to say, “And you threw it out into the street where my sled had to plow
through it to make my delivery. My horses almost couldn’t pull through it.”
first drink and was thinking about another, looked away from the window long
enough to say, “And you threw it out into the street where my sled had to plow
through it to make my delivery. My horses almost couldn’t pull through it.”
Frank had seen the horses Analweiss
was talking about, and he believed that they had difficulty pulling through
high snow. The poor things probably
hadn’t been fed enough to keep them alive, no less pull a heavy sleigh. However
he said, “Sorry about that, but with all the snow that we got last month
there’s no placed else to put it. Unless you want to haul it away for free, as
a public service.”
was talking about, and he believed that they had difficulty pulling through
high snow. The poor things probably
hadn’t been fed enough to keep them alive, no less pull a heavy sleigh. However
he said, “Sorry about that, but with all the snow that we got last month
there’s no placed else to put it. Unless you want to haul it away for free, as
a public service.”
Analweiss almost choked on the last
drop of his drink that he was trying to suck out of the bottom of his mug. “If
you want a public service performed, find a public servant. I work for a living, not like those lazy
slobs who lay back and steal my money and call it a ‘fair’ tax.” With that he slammed his mug down on the bar
and stormed out.
drop of his drink that he was trying to suck out of the bottom of his mug. “If
you want a public service performed, find a public servant. I work for a living, not like those lazy
slobs who lay back and steal my money and call it a ‘fair’ tax.” With that he slammed his mug down on the bar
and stormed out.
Analweiss was moving so fast that
he never heard Frank say, “Work for a living.
The only work I’ve ever seen you do is beat those poor horses that pull your
sled.”
he never heard Frank say, “Work for a living.
The only work I’ve ever seen you do is beat those poor horses that pull your
sled.”
While Analweiss was inside keeping
warm, his horses were tied to a hitch in front of the store while the sled was
being unloaded. They picked up their legs almost as if they were still walking
to try to keep the ice in the street from bonding to their feet. The lead horse
for the team had showed the others how to do it without overturning the sled.
He was Analweiss’ favorite, since he had lasted the longest on the paltry amount
of feed that Analweiss provided. His sire had been one of those horses that got
a heavier coat during the cold months so that he was better able to withstand
the weather. He still barely made it back to the stables at the end of the day,
after hauling all the loads for which Analweiss contracted.
warm, his horses were tied to a hitch in front of the store while the sled was
being unloaded. They picked up their legs almost as if they were still walking
to try to keep the ice in the street from bonding to their feet. The lead horse
for the team had showed the others how to do it without overturning the sled.
He was Analweiss’ favorite, since he had lasted the longest on the paltry amount
of feed that Analweiss provided. His sire had been one of those horses that got
a heavier coat during the cold months so that he was better able to withstand
the weather. He still barely made it back to the stables at the end of the day,
after hauling all the loads for which Analweiss contracted.
The stable was where the horses
wanted to be. The lead horse, who
thought of himself as “Dobbin,” remembered the stable fondly. It wasn’t heated, but it did protect them
from the wind. Analweiss didn’t pay the
stable owner enough to have fresh straw in the stalls but at least it was
better than being out here freezing.
Dobbin, the horse, had thought he liked the name after he had heard one
of the other delivery wagon’s horses called that. At the time the driver was giving Dobbin a
carrot while they waited for their wagon to be unloaded. Analweiss never gave
his horses names or carrots. If anything,
he called Dobbin, “A useless bag of bones.”
wanted to be. The lead horse, who
thought of himself as “Dobbin,” remembered the stable fondly. It wasn’t heated, but it did protect them
from the wind. Analweiss didn’t pay the
stable owner enough to have fresh straw in the stalls but at least it was
better than being out here freezing.
Dobbin, the horse, had thought he liked the name after he had heard one
of the other delivery wagon’s horses called that. At the time the driver was giving Dobbin a
carrot while they waited for their wagon to be unloaded. Analweiss never gave
his horses names or carrots. If anything,
he called Dobbin, “A useless bag of bones.”
Now Dobbin didn’t know about God.
He didn’t even know about praying for things that he wanted. But just then as
he saw Analweiss storm out on the pub, he thought to himself that Analweiss
wouldn’t treat them so badly if he had to live like them.
He didn’t even know about praying for things that he wanted. But just then as
he saw Analweiss storm out on the pub, he thought to himself that Analweiss
wouldn’t treat them so badly if he had to live like them.
God didn’t happen to hear that “prayer”
but a winter sprite, who was resting against the outside of the pub after a
long night of causing all that snow to fall did catch Dobbin’s thoughts. Now the sprite, Jack Frost, didn’t speak
horse very well, but he heard enough of what Dobbin was thinking to catch the
“drift” of what Dobbin meant.
but a winter sprite, who was resting against the outside of the pub after a
long night of causing all that snow to fall did catch Dobbin’s thoughts. Now the sprite, Jack Frost, didn’t speak
horse very well, but he heard enough of what Dobbin was thinking to catch the
“drift” of what Dobbin meant.
Jack saw the object of Dobbin’s
dislike cross in front of him and decided to do something to remedy the horse’s
plight. Jack said to Analweiss “For 24 hours you’ll know what it is to truly
labor for your feed.”
dislike cross in front of him and decided to do something to remedy the horse’s
plight. Jack said to Analweiss “For 24 hours you’ll know what it is to truly
labor for your feed.”
Now Alanweiss didn’t hear the words
that Jack Frost spoke. What he did hear
was the snow that suddenly started to blow around him like a tornado. He was
blinded by the white stuff. When he
tried to shield his eyes he couldn’t feel his hands. The snow finally stopped, and
when Analweiss opened his eyes all he could see was the rear end of a horse. He
tried to move out of the way but found that he was tied into place behind the other
horse by leather bindings. He shouted for help, but all anyone could hear was
“neigh.”
that Jack Frost spoke. What he did hear
was the snow that suddenly started to blow around him like a tornado. He was
blinded by the white stuff. When he
tried to shield his eyes he couldn’t feel his hands. The snow finally stopped, and
when Analweiss opened his eyes all he could see was the rear end of a horse. He
tried to move out of the way but found that he was tied into place behind the other
horse by leather bindings. He shouted for help, but all anyone could hear was
“neigh.”
Jack Frost was having a good time
and had taken over Analweiss’ body, while Analweiss was now occupying the
second horse in the team, right behind Dobbin. Jack looked at the manifest list
for deliveries that day and saw there were two more loads scheduled before they
could quit for the day. The first was for lady’s dresses. Jack crossed through that one and moved on to
the next pickup. Sacks of salt for the city hall, to be used for snow removal.
The use of salt on his precious snow really got Jack mad. He uttered a few words that were so blue that
they froze in the air before anyone could hear them.
and had taken over Analweiss’ body, while Analweiss was now occupying the
second horse in the team, right behind Dobbin. Jack looked at the manifest list
for deliveries that day and saw there were two more loads scheduled before they
could quit for the day. The first was for lady’s dresses. Jack crossed through that one and moved on to
the next pickup. Sacks of salt for the city hall, to be used for snow removal.
The use of salt on his precious snow really got Jack mad. He uttered a few words that were so blue that
they froze in the air before anyone could hear them.
“That’s it,” Jack said. “We’re quitting for the day.” With that he turned the sled around in the
street and headed back to the stables.
Jack didn’t have to know the way there since he just said “Dobbin, take
us home.”
street and headed back to the stables.
Jack didn’t have to know the way there since he just said “Dobbin, take
us home.”
As soon as Dobbin heard what was
said he trotted back to the stable at a good pace. Three of the horses were
experienced in working in the harness. The forth was not. Analweiss, the horse, was having a tough time
trying to work four feet at the same time. He was stumbling and getting clods
of ice thrown in his face by the horse in front of him. His rear end was getting stung by the tip of
the horse whip that Jack was using to encourage him to move faster.
said he trotted back to the stable at a good pace. Three of the horses were
experienced in working in the harness. The forth was not. Analweiss, the horse, was having a tough time
trying to work four feet at the same time. He was stumbling and getting clods
of ice thrown in his face by the horse in front of him. His rear end was getting stung by the tip of
the horse whip that Jack was using to encourage him to move faster.
After nearly half a mile, Analweiss
finally got the hang of walking with four feet. He didn’t know how it had
happened, but he did realize what had happened.
Somehow he was one of the horses in his own team, and they were heading
to the stables where Analweiss kept his horses. He had never realized just how
far out of town the stables were. They
were the cheapest place Analweiss had been able to find, so the five miles the
team had to pull the sled to get there didn’t bother him. But as his feet began
to feel the cold of the snow drifts that they had to go through, he was
beginning to wonder if the money he saved was worth it.
finally got the hang of walking with four feet. He didn’t know how it had
happened, but he did realize what had happened.
Somehow he was one of the horses in his own team, and they were heading
to the stables where Analweiss kept his horses. He had never realized just how
far out of town the stables were. They
were the cheapest place Analweiss had been able to find, so the five miles the
team had to pull the sled to get there didn’t bother him. But as his feet began
to feel the cold of the snow drifts that they had to go through, he was
beginning to wonder if the money he saved was worth it.
A half an hour later they got to
the stables. The stable boy opened the
gates, and Jack drove the sled into the stable yard. Now the stable boy felt the same way as the
rest of the town about Analweiss. So he
was stunned when he heard Jack, as Analweiss, say “tonight I want you to put
fresh straw into their stalls and give three of them double feed. This one,” he said as he slapped Analweiss’ horse’s
rump, “give him the usual amount. This
bag of bones wasn’t pulling his weight today.”
With that, Jack, as Analweiss, gave the stable boy a dollar for the
extra feed and straw and then tossed him a fifty cent piece for his “troubles.”
the stables. The stable boy opened the
gates, and Jack drove the sled into the stable yard. Now the stable boy felt the same way as the
rest of the town about Analweiss. So he
was stunned when he heard Jack, as Analweiss, say “tonight I want you to put
fresh straw into their stalls and give three of them double feed. This one,” he said as he slapped Analweiss’ horse’s
rump, “give him the usual amount. This
bag of bones wasn’t pulling his weight today.”
With that, Jack, as Analweiss, gave the stable boy a dollar for the
extra feed and straw and then tossed him a fifty cent piece for his “troubles.”
That night the neighbors were
stunned to have Analweiss offer to buy everyone in the pub a drink. Not only that, but instead of leaving early
as usual, he stayed the entire night. He
bought several more rounds for the entire place and kept them in stitches
telling stories about old fat men who had gotten stuck in the snow and had to
walk home without their boots that had gotten stuck in a snow drift.
stunned to have Analweiss offer to buy everyone in the pub a drink. Not only that, but instead of leaving early
as usual, he stayed the entire night. He
bought several more rounds for the entire place and kept them in stitches
telling stories about old fat men who had gotten stuck in the snow and had to
walk home without their boots that had gotten stuck in a snow drift.
While Jack Frost was regaling the
pub patrons with stories of winter miseries, back at the stables Analweiss-the-horse
was having a different sort of time. After Jack left the stables, the stable
boy wiped down the horses with some rags that were kept for that purpose. He
kept them in their harnesses while he forked out the old straw from their stalls
and then layered on a thick mat of fresh straw.
He led each of them to their stalls.
He had names for each of them even if Analweiss never seemed to call
them by name. Dobbin was called “Big
Brown” by the stable boy. After each of
them was in their own stall, he began to fill their troughs with feed. Because he was afraid that Analweiss would
come back to make sure that he didn’t over-fill the feed and then over-charge
for it, the boy was careful to only give the three horses the double feed for
the night. The boy checked to see that
each had water in their buckets and then he turned out the lantern and left the
stable. He made sure to secure the door
so that it wouldn’t blow open during the night and cause the poor beasts to
freeze.
pub patrons with stories of winter miseries, back at the stables Analweiss-the-horse
was having a different sort of time. After Jack left the stables, the stable
boy wiped down the horses with some rags that were kept for that purpose. He
kept them in their harnesses while he forked out the old straw from their stalls
and then layered on a thick mat of fresh straw.
He led each of them to their stalls.
He had names for each of them even if Analweiss never seemed to call
them by name. Dobbin was called “Big
Brown” by the stable boy. After each of
them was in their own stall, he began to fill their troughs with feed. Because he was afraid that Analweiss would
come back to make sure that he didn’t over-fill the feed and then over-charge
for it, the boy was careful to only give the three horses the double feed for
the night. The boy checked to see that
each had water in their buckets and then he turned out the lantern and left the
stable. He made sure to secure the door
so that it wouldn’t blow open during the night and cause the poor beasts to
freeze.
Inside the stable, Analweiss, now a
horse, was trying to take in what had happened to him. He thought about what he
knew. First, somehow he had been
transformed into one of his own horses. Second, he had been forced to pull his
sleigh over a great distance in the cold, wet snow to these cold stables.
Third, even though his feet were now dry and off the ground and able to stand
on straw that kept some of the cold off, those feet were tired. All four of his feet ached. Because he wasn’t really a horse, he hadn’t
understood what Dobbin had taught the others about keeping your feet moving to
avoid the ice. The result was that some
of the ice at their last stop had frozen onto two of his four feet and that ice
was just now melting onto his previously dry straw.
horse, was trying to take in what had happened to him. He thought about what he
knew. First, somehow he had been
transformed into one of his own horses. Second, he had been forced to pull his
sleigh over a great distance in the cold, wet snow to these cold stables.
Third, even though his feet were now dry and off the ground and able to stand
on straw that kept some of the cold off, those feet were tired. All four of his feet ached. Because he wasn’t really a horse, he hadn’t
understood what Dobbin had taught the others about keeping your feet moving to
avoid the ice. The result was that some
of the ice at their last stop had frozen onto two of his four feet and that ice
was just now melting onto his previously dry straw.
Analweiss had never thought about
eating raw oats, but now he found that he was famished and the oats in his feed
trough smelled awfully good. He walked over to the trough and once he started
eating he found that he was finished with what was there, well before he felt full.
He looked over to the other stalls and saw that his stable mates were eating
more slowly and that they were continuing to eat well after he had finished
with his. He realized that it was because they had twice as much feed as he had
been given. Analweiss was beginning to reconsider what the correct amount of
feed should be for his horses. He felt as if he was starving, and he knew that
there wouldn’t be any other food until this time tomorrow. Analweiss had never been one of those foolish
drivers that provided feed bags for his horses during the day.
eating raw oats, but now he found that he was famished and the oats in his feed
trough smelled awfully good. He walked over to the trough and once he started
eating he found that he was finished with what was there, well before he felt full.
He looked over to the other stalls and saw that his stable mates were eating
more slowly and that they were continuing to eat well after he had finished
with his. He realized that it was because they had twice as much feed as he had
been given. Analweiss was beginning to reconsider what the correct amount of
feed should be for his horses. He felt as if he was starving, and he knew that
there wouldn’t be any other food until this time tomorrow. Analweiss had never been one of those foolish
drivers that provided feed bags for his horses during the day.
And so Analweiss stood there in the
dark stable listening to the wind that blew through the warped wall boards of
the old building. He could feel the wind
blow through the back wall of his stall.
That winter wind never seemed to stop during the night, and that meant
that he was cold all night long. He tried to sleep standing there but it was
hard to get comfortable standing up. He
was still hungry, and he knew that there was a full day ahead of him pulling
the sled, that would be overloaded with freight all through the day. Not only that but he had the five miles back
to town to look forward to before they even got to the warehouse for their first
delivery of the day. He eventually did
fall asleep, but his whinnying kept the others awake.
dark stable listening to the wind that blew through the warped wall boards of
the old building. He could feel the wind
blow through the back wall of his stall.
That winter wind never seemed to stop during the night, and that meant
that he was cold all night long. He tried to sleep standing there but it was
hard to get comfortable standing up. He
was still hungry, and he knew that there was a full day ahead of him pulling
the sled, that would be overloaded with freight all through the day. Not only that but he had the five miles back
to town to look forward to before they even got to the warehouse for their first
delivery of the day. He eventually did
fall asleep, but his whinnying kept the others awake.
The next morning, the stable boy
was back to get them into their harnesses. After he had fitted all of the tack
onto the team, he came over to Analweiss-the-horse and, after making sure that
Analweiss (Jack Frost) wasn’t in the yard yet, offered Analweiss-the-horse a
small apple. The boy said “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more feed last night,
but you don’t know how loud your owner Mr. Analweiss would have shouted about
wasting feed. I hope this apple will help you get through, it’s all I have and
my mother said I could have it even though we didn’t have extra since it was
going brown.” The boy looked around and
saw Analweiss (Jack Frost) coming through the gate, so he stepped back from the
team. The boy remembered that Analweiss wasn’t always careful to look around
before he drove the team out of the yard.
was back to get them into their harnesses. After he had fitted all of the tack
onto the team, he came over to Analweiss-the-horse and, after making sure that
Analweiss (Jack Frost) wasn’t in the yard yet, offered Analweiss-the-horse a
small apple. The boy said “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more feed last night,
but you don’t know how loud your owner Mr. Analweiss would have shouted about
wasting feed. I hope this apple will help you get through, it’s all I have and
my mother said I could have it even though we didn’t have extra since it was
going brown.” The boy looked around and
saw Analweiss (Jack Frost) coming through the gate, so he stepped back from the
team. The boy remembered that Analweiss wasn’t always careful to look around
before he drove the team out of the yard.
Analweiss (Jack Frost) came up to
the sled and looked at the team. “The horses look wonderful this morning. You must have well cared for them last
night. Here’s a bit more for your
trouble.” The boy caught the fifty cent
piece that was thrown to him. After Analweiss climbed up to the sled, he looked
down at the stable boy and said “You know, even though you have been caring for
my team for all these several years, I don’t know your name.”
the sled and looked at the team. “The horses look wonderful this morning. You must have well cared for them last
night. Here’s a bit more for your
trouble.” The boy caught the fifty cent
piece that was thrown to him. After Analweiss climbed up to the sled, he looked
down at the stable boy and said “You know, even though you have been caring for
my team for all these several years, I don’t know your name.”
The boy was stunned that Mr.
Analweiss was asking his name. It took him several seconds before he was able
to say, “It’s Jack sir, Jack Winters.”
Analweiss was asking his name. It took him several seconds before he was able
to say, “It’s Jack sir, Jack Winters.”
Analweiss (Jack Frost) looked down
at the boy and laughed. “That’s a wonderful name Jack.” He reached into the pocket of his great coat
and handed Jack a small package. “I got this bacon sandwich at the pub this
morning but I don’t think I’ll be able to eat it. Would you like it?”
at the boy and laughed. “That’s a wonderful name Jack.” He reached into the pocket of his great coat
and handed Jack a small package. “I got this bacon sandwich at the pub this
morning but I don’t think I’ll be able to eat it. Would you like it?”
Jack, the stable boy, hadn’t had
meat in over a week. He took the sandwich, dripping with grease, and thanked
Mr. Analweiss. Holding the sandwich close to his chest he ran to open the yard
gate.
meat in over a week. He took the sandwich, dripping with grease, and thanked
Mr. Analweiss. Holding the sandwich close to his chest he ran to open the yard
gate.
That morning, the Analweiss
delivery company made its rounds, picking up full loads and delivering them
where they were supposed to go. Analweiss-the-horse was beginning to figure out
how to walk using all four feet without stepping on the other horses. He was
still hungry, but was grateful for the small apple that the stable boy had
given him. He could still taste the sweet
stickiness on his lips.
delivery company made its rounds, picking up full loads and delivering them
where they were supposed to go. Analweiss-the-horse was beginning to figure out
how to walk using all four feet without stepping on the other horses. He was
still hungry, but was grateful for the small apple that the stable boy had
given him. He could still taste the sweet
stickiness on his lips.
As they worked he noticed that a
number of the other delivery teams had blankets on their backs to keep them
warm. Analweiss-the-horse was beginning
to reconsider whether buying blankets for horses was really a complete waste of
good money. Several times during the morning, he heard other teams pass them on
their way to make their own deliveries. He began to realize that he could hear
them coming by the jingle of the bells on their harnesses. It was a sort of
cheerful sound.
number of the other delivery teams had blankets on their backs to keep them
warm. Analweiss-the-horse was beginning
to reconsider whether buying blankets for horses was really a complete waste of
good money. Several times during the morning, he heard other teams pass them on
their way to make their own deliveries. He began to realize that he could hear
them coming by the jingle of the bells on their harnesses. It was a sort of
cheerful sound.
Just after lunch time they found
themselves back at the same store where Analweiss-the-horse first realized his
equine nature. As the men from the store were taking the freight off the sled,
a strong wind began to blow the snow off of the drifts so that it was
impossible to see. Analweiss felt the wind abate and he was able to open his
eyes.
themselves back at the same store where Analweiss-the-horse first realized his
equine nature. As the men from the store were taking the freight off the sled,
a strong wind began to blow the snow off of the drifts so that it was
impossible to see. Analweiss felt the wind abate and he was able to open his
eyes.
This time instead of Dobbin’s rump,
he could see Dobbin’s face. Analweiss reached out to touch the horse. He rubbed the spot behind the ears that he
remembered was a favorite spot for horses. It took several moments more before
Analweiss finally accepted that he was no longer a horse. He walked around the
sled admiring how splendid his team looked. Actually what he realized was that
they were skinny, painfully so. He also noticed that they were shivering in the
cold.
he could see Dobbin’s face. Analweiss reached out to touch the horse. He rubbed the spot behind the ears that he
remembered was a favorite spot for horses. It took several moments more before
Analweiss finally accepted that he was no longer a horse. He walked around the
sled admiring how splendid his team looked. Actually what he realized was that
they were skinny, painfully so. He also noticed that they were shivering in the
cold.
As the rest of the delivery was
being off-loaded, Analweiss went into the feed-and-grain store. Inside he
bought four horse blankets. As he was
walking to the front of the store to pay for the blankets he saw a display of
bells that could be worked into harnesses. Those he bought as well. In fact,
before he was through, he had bought feed bags for each of the horses, and a
small basket of apples.
being off-loaded, Analweiss went into the feed-and-grain store. Inside he
bought four horse blankets. As he was
walking to the front of the store to pay for the blankets he saw a display of
bells that could be worked into harnesses. Those he bought as well. In fact,
before he was through, he had bought feed bags for each of the horses, and a
small basket of apples.
He went back out to the now- empty
sled, and reached up to take down the work orders for the day. He saw that all they had left was to pick up
a load of salt for town hall to use for snow removal. For some reason he couldn’t identify,
Analweiss just couldn’t bare the idea of putting salt on snow. He told himself
that he would contact the town hall and tell them that he couldn’t transport
the salt. He was sure that he could make up some excuse for the non-delivery.
sled, and reached up to take down the work orders for the day. He saw that all they had left was to pick up
a load of salt for town hall to use for snow removal. For some reason he couldn’t identify,
Analweiss just couldn’t bare the idea of putting salt on snow. He told himself
that he would contact the town hall and tell them that he couldn’t transport
the salt. He was sure that he could make up some excuse for the non-delivery.
Without the salt to deliver they
could head home. Back at the stable, after a slow ride, Jack the stable boy
opened the yard gate to let them in. After they got into the yard Analweiss got
down from the sled and said “I’m surprised that you could tell we were coming,
since there aren’t any bells to warn you.”
could head home. Back at the stable, after a slow ride, Jack the stable boy
opened the yard gate to let them in. After they got into the yard Analweiss got
down from the sled and said “I’m surprised that you could tell we were coming,
since there aren’t any bells to warn you.”
Jack was surprised that for the
second day in a row the Analweiss team was back early and Mr. Analweiss was
talking to him. Jack said that he always kept an eye on the road that led up to
the stable to watch for customers.
second day in a row the Analweiss team was back early and Mr. Analweiss was
talking to him. Jack said that he always kept an eye on the road that led up to
the stable to watch for customers.
Analweiss said that he would like
to make the job easier if Jack had some free time. He handed Jack a bag that jingled. Analweiss
said “If you can tie these bells onto their harnesses, you’ll be able to hear
us coming half a mile away in a full snow storm.”
to make the job easier if Jack had some free time. He handed Jack a bag that jingled. Analweiss
said “If you can tie these bells onto their harnesses, you’ll be able to hear
us coming half a mile away in a full snow storm.”
Jack said that he would be able to do
the job, and he was sure that the bells would make the travel more cheery.
the job, and he was sure that the bells would make the travel more cheery.
“Good” said Analweiss. “I’ll check it over tomorrow and as long as
it looks good there’s a fiver in it for you.
Oh yea and double the feed for all four of them tonight. There’s a basket with apples on the
sled. If you would give each one of them
an apple tonight with their feed, you can take the rest of the basket home for
your mother. Don’t worry about the apples.
I checked and none of them are turning brown.” With that Analweiss left the yard.
it looks good there’s a fiver in it for you.
Oh yea and double the feed for all four of them tonight. There’s a basket with apples on the
sled. If you would give each one of them
an apple tonight with their feed, you can take the rest of the basket home for
your mother. Don’t worry about the apples.
I checked and none of them are turning brown.” With that Analweiss left the yard.
Jack watched Mr. Analweiss walk
away. He couldn’t understand what was
happening. Could the man have seen him
slip the apple to the horse this morning?
Jack was sure that he had checked before he gave up his treat. It must
just be a coincidence, a strange and wonderful coincidence.
away. He couldn’t understand what was
happening. Could the man have seen him
slip the apple to the horse this morning?
Jack was sure that he had checked before he gave up his treat. It must
just be a coincidence, a strange and wonderful coincidence.
Jack wiped down the horses, fed
them, and gave each an apple to top off their evening meal. Then he got their
harnesses and dried them off and took the bells and the harnesses with him to
his house where he knew his mother had some heavy needles. He was sure that she
wouldn’t mind, especially when she saw the basket of apples he was bringing
with him.
them, and gave each an apple to top off their evening meal. Then he got their
harnesses and dried them off and took the bells and the harnesses with him to
his house where he knew his mother had some heavy needles. He was sure that she
wouldn’t mind, especially when she saw the basket of apples he was bringing
with him.
The next morning when Analweiss got
to the stables, he saw that Jack had the team ready to go, and he could hear,
even at the gate that as they moved the sound of bells jingled in the air.
Analweiss walked around the team and checked each horse’s harness to see if the
bells were secured. Of course they were.
He took out a five dollar bill and handed it to Jack. “As promised. You’ve done a great job Mr. Winters.”
to the stables, he saw that Jack had the team ready to go, and he could hear,
even at the gate that as they moved the sound of bells jingled in the air.
Analweiss walked around the team and checked each horse’s harness to see if the
bells were secured. Of course they were.
He took out a five dollar bill and handed it to Jack. “As promised. You’ve done a great job Mr. Winters.”
Jack took the bill and looked at it
fondly. This was more money than he had
ever had in his hands at one time. Then he reached out his hand with the money
still in it. “I can’t take all of his money Mr. Analweiss. My mother said that
the work I did wasn’t worth all of this, and I had to return it. She said, if you still wanted to pay me, I
should say that one dollar would be more than enough for what I did.”
fondly. This was more money than he had
ever had in his hands at one time. Then he reached out his hand with the money
still in it. “I can’t take all of his money Mr. Analweiss. My mother said that
the work I did wasn’t worth all of this, and I had to return it. She said, if you still wanted to pay me, I
should say that one dollar would be more than enough for what I did.”
Analweiss looked at the boy with
the money in his hand. He noticed that
there was a tear in one of the boy’s eyes, and he realized that there was one
in his eye as well. “Alright Jack. I don’t want to disobey your mother. Tell
her for me that she has raised a fine young man.”
the money in his hand. He noticed that
there was a tear in one of the boy’s eyes, and he realized that there was one
in his eye as well. “Alright Jack. I don’t want to disobey your mother. Tell
her for me that she has raised a fine young man.”
All of that day as he made the
deliveries he thought about everything that he had heard and felt.
deliveries he thought about everything that he had heard and felt.
A month later, the Analweiss
delivery sled left from its new stables just at the edge of town. The stable
was an almost new building, with nice tight boards in the walls. Because it was
within the city it was not subject to the winds that had plagued the previous
home of the team. The horses were covered with their winter blankets under the
tack. They each weighed almost twice as
much as they had a month earlier, due to the increased grain they were getting
at night and during the day from the feed bags they got while Analweiss took
his lunch.
delivery sled left from its new stables just at the edge of town. The stable
was an almost new building, with nice tight boards in the walls. Because it was
within the city it was not subject to the winds that had plagued the previous
home of the team. The horses were covered with their winter blankets under the
tack. They each weighed almost twice as
much as they had a month earlier, due to the increased grain they were getting
at night and during the day from the feed bags they got while Analweiss took
his lunch.
The bells jingled as they went on
their way. There were even more bells on
their harnesses than before. Analweiss
found that he liked the sounds of the bells. They really were cheery. He was
able to afford the new stables, additional feed, and bells since he had raised
his delivery rates. His customers didn’t
mind the increase in his fees, since he now provided added off-loading
assistance by his new full-time assistant, Jack Winters.
their way. There were even more bells on
their harnesses than before. Analweiss
found that he liked the sounds of the bells. They really were cheery. He was
able to afford the new stables, additional feed, and bells since he had raised
his delivery rates. His customers didn’t
mind the increase in his fees, since he now provided added off-loading
assistance by his new full-time assistant, Jack Winters.
Near the end of the street there
was a particularly large snow drift that shouldn’t have been there. From the
side that faced the street it almost looked like a chair. Jack sat there
looking at the Analweiss team passing by and smiled. He couldn’t be sure but it
looked as if the lead horse in the team winked as they passed. Jack thought,
“Well there goes my good deed for the year. I can get back to causing trouble.
I think a sudden frost in that state with all those orange trees ought to do
nicely.”
was a particularly large snow drift that shouldn’t have been there. From the
side that faced the street it almost looked like a chair. Jack sat there
looking at the Analweiss team passing by and smiled. He couldn’t be sure but it
looked as if the lead horse in the team winked as they passed. Jack thought,
“Well there goes my good deed for the year. I can get back to causing trouble.
I think a sudden frost in that state with all those orange trees ought to do
nicely.”
