The Last Village Smithy

Book excerpt: One of the large sliding doors on the south side of the shop was wide open and Henry went through it on a dead run followed closely by the angry ox. Henry ran completely through the shop and out an open door on the garage end. Luckily, the ox was slowed somewhat by its new iron shoes which didnt provide much traction on the hard concrete floor. But, it knew where Henry went and charged out the door after him. Chapter 3: the Ox Shoe Incident The next morning while Frank was doing the milking, Tex came slowly limping into the barn on three legs. One ear was badly torn and his white fur was caked with dried blood. Thank God youre back. We had given you up for dead, Frank told him. The rest of the milking would have to wait. Chapter 8: Frank Woods Muck-land Potatoes What was in that cabinet? What was so valuable or secretive that it needed to always be locked away? Moreover, why didnt Henry, who knew just about everything about the town, know what was inside? Or, was it a secret and he wasnt telling? As youthful curiosity will often insist, one day I just had to have an answer. Chapter 12: Town Hall Tales When the spray of water hit the fire and hot bricks, it instantly turned to a huge quantity of steam. The steam immediately changed direction and exploded out the top of the chimney. The steam explosion launched many bricks and one very startled fireman off the roof still clutching the writhing fire hose as if it was an enraged python with a bareback rider. Chapter 17: the Cellar Savers It would have been priceless to see the expression that must have come across the face of the cars driver as his headlights caught the sight of that sled full of kids passing him and pulling ahead. Chapter 28: The Ripsled Riders