Summary

Jr, a man in his late twenties, is tasked with fetching supplies from the general store using the family horse and wagon, and he adheres strictly to his father's instructions not to give anyone a ride without permission, even when it means refusing his Uncle Joe Big.

Abstract

In "Beggar’s Toe, Part 2," Jr wakes up to find that the old man he had taken in the previous day has left. His father, Earnest, scolds him for bringing strangers home without permission. Despite the reprimand, Jr is excited about his upcoming errand to the general store in Spencer, as it allows him to mimic driving a car, his dream. At the store, Jr encounters his Uncle Joe Big, who requests a ride home. Remembering his father's directive, Jr denies his uncle a ride, leading to a family argument upon his return. The story humorously highlights Jr's eagerness to follow his father's rules and his longing for the independence that comes with driving a car.

Opinions

Earnest is portrayed as a stern figure who expects his rules to be followed without question.
Jr's character is depicted as someone who takes his father's instructions seriously and is eager to emulate adult responsibilities, such as driving.
The author uses humor to illustrate the generational gap and the learning process between parents and children.
Jr's refusal to give his uncle a ride, despite the potential for family tension, shows his commitment to adhering to his father's wishes.
The story suggests that children often mimic their parents' behaviors, as seen with Jr holding the reins with his feet to simulate driving a car.

Beggar’s Toe, Part 2

Jr finds an old man beside the road and attempts to take him in.

Continued from Beggar’s Toe, Part 1

Early the next morning Jr awoke to see Earnest headed back towards the house from the old barn. Jr went directly outside to meet him. “Did you tell him to leave?” Jr asked.

“No,” Earnest replied, “he was gone when I got there.”

“Where too?” Jr inquired.

“How in the wackemall am I supposed to know?” Earnest snapped. “Don’t you ever bring anyone here unless you ask me first.”

“Yes Sir,” Jr promised. “Maw’s got breakfast ready.”

“Good,” Earnest smiled, “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

“We ain’t got but one horse,” Jr said. “If you eat Old Spice we won’t have no horse to pull the wagon.”

“I’m not going to eat Old Spice,” Earnest laughed. “At least not anytime soon.”

“Then why’d you say you was gonna eat him?” Jr asked in earnest.

“Never mind,” Earnest shook his head, “let’s just go find out what your momma fixed for us.”

“I hope it’s not Old Spice,” Jr said as the two of them walked inside.

After a breakfast of grits, gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs, fresh goat’s milk, strong coffee, and fatback Mable said, “Jr, your paw and I want you to hook up Old Spice to the wagon and ride to the general store in Spencer. Can we count on you to ride straight there and back? They’ve already got everything we ordered packed in boxes, you just need to get it and get right back here.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Jr answered excitedly as he jumped from his seat and ran out the door. You see, hitching up Old Spice and driving the wagon was the closest thing to driving a car Jr was allowed to do, and being almost 30 years old Jr was chomping at the bit for a chance to drive a real car. Jr wanted to drive so badly that he had learned to hold the reins with his bare feet so he could use his hands to hold a pretend steering wheel, and shake his fist at other drivers just as Earnest often did. You see, children really do learn by watching their parents.

While Jr and the Spencer General Store clerk were loading the boxes, bags, and barrels on the wagon, Jr’s big Uncle Joe Big came walking up to the wagon. “How you been?” Joe Big asked.

“I’m fine,” Jr answered as he closed and latched the tailgate on the buckboard.

“Do you mind if I hitch a ride back with you?” Joe Big asked.

“I don’t mind,” Jr answered, “but Paw tole me not to.”

“Your paw told you not to what?” Joe Big asked.

“Not to bring you back,” Jr answered as he snapped the reins and shouted, “Get,” causing Old Spice to pull the wagon up the road towards the farm.

When Jr got home that evening his big Uncle Joe Big was already there arguing with Earnest as Mable watched on. “There his is,” Joe Big pointed at Jr. “Ask him.”

“Jr,” Earnest asked, “did you refuse to give your Uncle Joe Big a ride?”

“I sure did,” Jr smiled.

“Why in the wackemall did you do that?” Earnest shouted. Jr could see he was perturbed.

“ ‘Cause,” Jr answered, “you told me not to bring anyone here ‘less I ask you first.”

Joe Big, Earnest, and Mable just stared at each other not knowing what to say.

Do you want to encourage me to keep writing stories like these enough to buy me a cup of Ko-Fi? Any amount will be gladly appreciated, and I’ll tell Jr you enjoyed the show.

Please continue with Keep the Plug in the Jug