Robbie was more often favored to go to town with Daddy when repairs were needed. It was part of his education to learn of such things. However, one Saturday it fell out that Mary Jane was nearby when a grain drill broke and Daddy’s glance took her in.
“Hop in and ride in to town with ole Dad. Gotta get this thinga-ma-jig welded. We – that is, Mom won’t be needing you? Sure?”
“I’ll go tell her and comb my hair,” Mary Jane answered eagerly. Usually when you went to town with Daddy he bought a strawberry ice cream cone at the drug store.
In a matter of minutes, they were trouncing down the lane to the larger of two towns they often patronized. Daddy was talking.
“Yessir, it’s the dryest Spring in all my experience in this country. We’re not quite in the dust bowl, but we ain’t fur from it. Sure hope the Lord sees fit to send rain soon. Banks is going busted all over too. We know the blessed Lord will provide us with necessary food and shelter, but it’s a gettin’ a mite hard to keep up that shield of faith. It’s easy enough to tell the other fella, Now you jest trust the Lord’ – that is until the shoe begins to pinch yer own foot. Ever notice that? We all have to have these testings, though. I don’t know how folks get along without the Lord.
“Daddy, I hear a noise, a hum or roar –.”
“So do I – well I’ll be – Boy! I’m taking to the ditch! Look there comin’ up behind us.” Whistling, he pulled out into a shallow ditch.
A late model car was roaring up from the rear at suicidal speed. The motor hummed and the vehicle swayed dangerously as a grim figure crouched low over the steering wheel.
“That fool has lost his reason, or my name’s not Ned Hillman! First curve and he’ll be in eternity!” Daddy was talking in quiet awe. “Who on earth could that be?”
Two more cars whizzed by, apparently eager to follow. Daddy was pale.
“Pet, we’re sure to see trouble ahead. I wish you hadn’t come along. I’ve just got to get on in to town, though. Think you can take it?”
“I’m all right, Daddy. Those other cars will beat us there. Maybe we won’t have to –. I won’t look.”
“There won’t be nothing left to save, I’m thinking.” And Daddy drove on reluctantly.
It was just about two miles further where the road curved to the right. In the center of the arc was a deserted place with an old brick house. The careening car had hit this house. Wheels and tortured fenders, a door and other debris were slung in confusion around. The two cars had stopped. Daddy slowed. He yelled to the men at the scene, “Need help, boys? Or shall I go call an ambulance?” “Call fer sumthin’ – the sheriff maybe. Ain’t no hurry on him. It’s old Phelps, the banker from Calhoun.”
“I reckon he did his self in fer some reason.” The speaker, a foul-mouthed, tobacco-chewing ranchman was white and shaken. No profanity now. He was in the presence of death.
Mary Jane, like most other human beings, was too curious not to peek a little. What she saw made her sick down to the pit of her stomach. Never would she forget that scene. Why? The banker of all people! He was always so self-assured and – well – like he had the world at his fingertips.
“Don’t look good,” Daddy observed. “Likely as not he’s got the bank books fouled up and now that the government is checking on things – however, I shouldn’t say that. We don’t know yet. But the ‘love of money is the root of all evil,’ Scripture says. It’s been many a human’s downfall.”
“What do you mean, Daddy? If he just made some mistakes, can’t they be fixed up?”
“Well, ya see, Pet, some of them fell as cain’t handle all that moolah without bein’ tempted to ‘borry’ a mite. Oh like as not they intend to pay it back after whatever they’re ‘speculating’ on pays off. But ‘the way of the transgressor is hard.’ The Lord lets a man go just so fur, and the ax falls. Well, here we are! I seem to feel the need of a strawberry ice cream cone! I’ll notify ‘em there at the drug store and they’ll call in whoever they deem best.”
The ice cream treat had lost its charm, but Daddy wanted her occupied while he was busy; so Mary Jane cooperated. It was exciting to be bearers of such momentous tidings. The girl at the soda fountain plied her with many questions – most of which she couldn’t answer. It was a relief when another customer came in and Mary Jane was left with her ice cream and thoughts.
Next day the news was confirmed. Headlines screamed: “Phelps Embezzles Thousands; Commits Suicide in Fiery Crash!” It was the chief topic of conversation by angry ranchmen for many days. Phelps had been a hard one to deal with; but it was a lesson to all. Daddy made good use of it to speak of better things, solemn things concerning sin, death and judgment to come. But always, always the Blessed Way of escape for the living was held up.