The Adventures of Horace Tidwiddler by jlee smith (book suggestions txt) 📕

taken them a week of hard travel to cross the desert and Horace told Aunt Matt he would feel better when they had left this pile of sand far behind them. She said, “I’m tired of walking in this stuff myself.” Late that evening, they camped on solid ground at the foot of the mountain pass that would take them home. The next morning, Abbasonn’s sons wished them a safe journey, turned and walked back following their footprints in the sand. Horace was sad to see them go and asked them to give their Father his blessings and to ask him to always remember their adventure together.
The travelers then set out with Aunt Matt leading the way. Horace sat astride Guiensenbach wearing his silver armor. Dylan and Bob brought up the rear. They traveled all day without stopping for lunch as Horace wanted to make the best time possible. It was late in the afternoon when the trees with the long green needles for leaves began to appear on either side of the trail. Horace located a small clearing and decided this would make a good camp sight for the night. A fire was started and the evening coffee prepared, Horace sat next to Aunt Matt and Bob. Dylan had discovered butterflies and was busy chasing one when Horace called him to the evening meal.
Later that night Horace was wrapped in his bedroll with Dylan lying by his side. Bob, Aunt Matt and Guiensenbach were all asleep when the moon came up over the tree line. It cast long slender shadows across their campsite and for some reason reminded him of all the people he had met and the places he had seen. He thought how lucky he was to have such good friends as these lying beside him right now. As he dozed off to sleep, he could feel his brother’s letter which he carried in his wrap next to his heart. He was at peace.
The next morning while the travelers were having coffee and cakes, Bob asked Horace how far it was to his home. Horace told him that they still had a wide valley and another mountain range to cross before they would even be close. He said it would take about four weeks unless they ran into some bad weather. Aunt Matt was looking at all the food supplies that Abbasonn’s wife had packed for them. She said, “We won’t run short of food like last time, and boy am I glad. I can still remember how good that gypsy sausage tasted when I had not had anything to eat for a couple of days.” Horace said he never thought he would be wishing for a pickle sandwich but he sure was then. Aunt Matt laughed and so did he.
The little caravan slowly wound its way through the mountain pass and finally started to work its way out on the grassy plain that stretch before it. Horace was again surprised at how tall the grass was. At times all he could see of Aunt Matt was the top of her tail. All he could see of Dylan was his big head sticking out of the grass. After about a week of this, Bob said all he could do was keep Guiensenbach’s rear end in sight and hope for the best. Finally, a mountain range came into view. Horace was surprised to still see some snow on several of the higher peaks. As they worked their way into the pass, Horace noticed the leaves were turning colors of yellow and gold. He told Aunt Matt it sure would be nice if they were out of the mountains before a winter storm set in.
The next morning, the travelers awoke with a light dusting of snow covering everything. Horace said they were going to need some luck to get out of the mountains before it got bad. It began to snow in earnest around noon and they did not stop for lunch. They continued to travel until way past dusk. Horace knew that if they were to get snowed in they would have a serious problem. When they finally stopped, a shelter was made using some fallen trees. This provided some measure of relief and allowed for a small fire to be built out of the wind. They all huddled together until dawn. Coffee was prepared and its warmth provided a degree of comfort to the little band of travelers. The next morning they had only traveled a short distance when they saw a valley open up below them. Horace knew that had they been just one day later it would have been a disaster. Horace bowed his head and said, Thank you.”
Once they entered the valley, the snow stopped falling. It was cold but there was no snow, and they had only a light breeze so they were once again able to travel with ease. The trees now were mostly oak with some ash. These were trees that Horace was familiar with and it meant he was a little closer to home. Their travel was uneventful for the next several weeks, then one afternoon Horace looked ahead and saw a little barn in the distance. He pulled on Guiensenbach’s bridal and stopped. Horace said, “Guys, I think we are home.”


CHAPTER TWENTY TWO - THINGS CHANGE

Horace rode up to the barn and climbed down from Guiensenbach. He stood and looked at the little house for a moment. It was something he had thought of many times during his long journey. He asked the others if they would mind if he went to the house by himself. He said he wanted to have a moment alone with his parents. Aunt Matt and Bob were already sitting on a stack of hay and Dylan was stalking a mouse he had spied in the back of the barn. Aunt Matt said, “Just be sure and call us when dinner is ready.” Horace removed his suit of armor and hung it on a nail in the barn then he walked to the house.
When he entered the door, his Mother was sitting at the kitchen table peeling potatoes. When she saw him, she jumped straight up and dropped the bowl that was sitting in her lap. She screamed, “My son, my son, we thought you would never return.” She grabbed him with both arms and hugged him so tight he could not breath. She had tears in her eyes and would not let go for several minutes. She said that his father had given up hope but she still felt that one day he would return. Horace said, “Where is he, where is Dad?” “He is at the factory”, she replied. “We decided to reopen the broom factory right after you left. It has been a great success and I am very proud of him. He use to say that if you ever did come back you would have something to return to. He missed you a great deal Horace.” Horace wanted to go see him right then but his mother said he would be home shortly, They sat at the table and talked until the door opened and his Father walked into the kitchen. He was so shocked to see his son sitting at the table that, at first, he could not speak. Finally, he grabbed Horace around the shoulders and said, “My son, my son, I thought you were dead.” The three of them sat at the table and talked for hours. Horace told them about all the people he had met and the adventures he had. He then remembered the letter his brother had given him to deliver. He handed it to his mother who read it in silence then handed it to his father. She looked at Horace and said, “He must be a fine young man.” He said he only hopes that he could be as decent and honorable a man as you Horace. He said he would like to make us as proud to call him son as we must be of you. He said that he gave you his word to visit once his schooling was completed. He sends his love to all of us and said he looks forward to the day we meet again, Both his parents had tears in their eyes.
They had talked and laughed for some time when Horace remembered his friends that he had left in the barn. His mother told him to bring them in as they were all welcome, even Aunt Matt. After introductions were made, coffee was served to everyone and the story telling continued long into the night. When Horace laid down that night, Dylan was already lying by the bed snoring. Horace could not believe he was home, home at last.
The next morning when he awoke his mother was already in the kitchen baking gingerbread and singing. Horace had forgotten how good it was to hear her sing. She told Horace that his father had left for the factory but would be back for lunch. Horace was sitting at the kitchen table having coffee when Aunt Matt stuck her head in the doorway and said, “Do I smell gingerbread?” Horace laughed and said, “I knew if anyone smelled it, it would be you.” Horace’s mother said, “Well, come on in and get your plate, it’s almost ready.” She didn’t have to ask twice.
Aunt Matt looked at Horace and said, “Well, what do you want to do today?” Horace smiled and said, “I just want to sit here, smell gingerbread and do nothing. I think I’m tired of moving, I just want to sit and be still for a while.” Aunt Matt said, “I hear that.” Dylan came into the kitchen and stood by Horace. Horace’s mother looked at him and said, “I don’t think I have ever seen a dog as big as you.” Horace petted Dylan’s rump and said, ’You know, I got him when he was just a pup and he was so little. I don’t think I remember when he grew up.” Horace’s mother smiled and said, ’Kind of like you Horace, I don’t remember when you did either.”
Horace’s father came home for lunch and asked if he would like to see what they had done with the factory. After their pickle sandwiches, they walked back to the village together and his father told him of all the changes he had made. He now had more orders for wheat straw brooms than he could fill. He was so glad Horace had returned because he could sure use his help. Horace was very surprised when he saw the number of people his father had working at the factory. Most all of the village people and several from nearby villages were hard at work when they walked in. Horace was introduced to these new people he had not met. He remembered the names of everyone from Placidshire which came as a great surprise to them. It came as a surprise to Horace too. Horace’s father took him to the back and showed him his office and workbench which someday would be Horace’s. He was very proud of the business.
Later that afternoon they walked through the village