The Surrey

For Alice

Clickety Clack, Clickety Clack.....I listen to the sound. The man Grandpa sent to fetch us from the train station, has a shiny black surrey with a fringe roof. It sure was a long way from Logans Port to Mankato. I wonder how much farther?

Clickety Clack, Clickety Clack....., the horse moves along the road. A Tennessee Walker, the man said. She's a pretty mare, a sorrel, with a long braided tail, swishing back and forth to keep the flies off.

 Clickety Clack, Swish Swish...Jean is complaining. She's always complaining. " There's not enough room!" she says. We are only separated by a year but you'd think it was ten. She folds her arms and huffs. Jean is on the left.  Mama's on the right, with Mary Virginia on her lap and another on the way. I hope its a boy, I have enough sisters. I wanted to sit up front with the man, but Mama said it wasn't proper.

Clickety Clack, Swish Swish, Clickety Clack...We jostle back and forth with the swaying of the surrey. Mama, Mary Virginia, Jean and I, in our white dresses, gloves and straw hats. I look up at the roof, with the pretty black fringe, moving in time with the swaying. The sunshine comes through the fringe, making funny patterns on my dress. It feels warm on my face.  My eyes are feeling droopy, so I shut them.

Clickety Clack, Swish Swish, back and forth,.... sleep.

 

Clickety Clack, Clickety Clack... "Whoa!"' the man says. My eyes fly open. The horse stops on the main road. Leaning forward, I look past Jean. The corn, already in, popping up in pretty rows, is first thing I see. Then, the white clapboard house, and the red fence and gate around it. Finally, the big barn, same color as the fence. Its nothing like I've ever seen before. "Giddup Girl!" the man snaps the reins, turning her down the black dirt road towards the house. Grandpa and Papa come out the screen door, waving to welcome us to our new home.

The Red Gate Farm.

 

Author's Note

This is the story my grandmother told me about arriving to our family farm around 1920. The Red Gate Farm was one of three farms purchased by my great great grandfather, is still owned by our family and is currently farmed by my cousin. Grandma Alice was one of eight children, all girls.

Reviews

[Mark Pearce]

I like the ceremonial touch. Everyone all dressed up for the occasion.

Your Grandmother would be proud.

[rumpulpulsky]

You've created a wonderful atmosphere, a great opening, will there be more?