Young Boy Lost: Tommy's Second Chance

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CHAPTER 1

Goin’ Fishin’

The brilliant spring sunshine flooded the upstairs bedroom. It was eight o’clock in the morning on a Saturday. Tommy Carson, who was, as near as he could tell, almost eleven years old, lay in one of the beds in the room under a mountain of colorful quilts. His face was the picture of rest and contentment. His pale blue eyes were closed and the peaceful breaths of a deep sleep were coming from him. All of a sudden, a splash of ice cold water hit him smack in the face. He sat bolt upright in bed, coughing and sputtering.

Hah! It’s about time you got up, you sleepyhead! Eric Soderlund, Tommy’s best friend, shouted, as he stood over Tommy, while holding an empty cup. Eric was almost eleven years old as well. His blond hair was askew, and his blue eyes sparkled. He doubled over in laughter. Tommy jumped out of bed and chased Eric around the room. He dove at Eric’s legs and wrapped his arms around them. Both boys hit the floor with a big thud. They wrestled around a while, laughing, until Eric said, C’mon Tommy, the fish have got to be bitin’ in the river. We got no time to waste! Let’s get goin’! The boys got out of their pajamas, threw on some clothes and ran downstairs.

Now hold on, Sons, where are you goin’ in such a hurry? Ted Carson asked, as he sat at the table with a cup of coffee in his hands. Ted was a tall, blond-haired young man, the soon-to-be adoptive father of Tommy.

Yes, boys, it looks like you have a pretty important plan for the day, Victor Johnson said. He was also sitting at the table with Ted. Vic was a tall, brown-haired young man. He was the soon-to-be stepdad of Eric.

Now P.V., I thought I taught you how to talk right, but it looks like you’re backslidin’, Ted said. "What’s this yes boys stuff?" Ted playfully punched Vic in the arm. Vic just shook his head at Ted and smiled.

Me and Tommy are goin’ fishin’! Eric proclaimed, as he and Tommy sat at the table by the men. Eric’s eyes widened with excitement and he pushed a few strands of his disheveled hair off of his face. He could scarcely sit still at the table at the thought of going fishing, just like most ten-year-old boys.

Yep, Tommy added. Even though I never really been fishin’ much before, it’s probably goin’ to be a lot of fun. His light brown hair needed some combing as well. He smiled at Ted and Vic.

You mean to say you hardly ever been fishin’ at all? Ted asked, with his eyebrows raised. Well, all boys gotta go fishin’ a bunch of times in their lives. You’re in for a treat. I wish we could fish with you, but P.V. and I got some church business to take care of. P.V. was Ted’s nickname for Vic. Vic was the pastor of the Port Falls Community Church, and ‘P.V.’ was short for ‘Pastor Vic’.

And don’t forget, I need to stop in at Doc Smith’s office so he can look at my shoulder, Vic said. Vic had gotten shot by a pistol in the shoulder a few weeks previously, in Iron Creek, but that was in another story. He was on the mend, and decided to see the doctor in Port Falls, which was only a few miles from where he lived, rather than traveling to the doctor in Iron Creek, which was a full twelve or thirteen miles away.

Oh, don’t worry, P.V., I’m not forgettin’ about the doctor. Hopefully he’ll clear you to start doin’ chores again, Ted mentioned, with a smile.

Now Ted, I feel bad about not helping you much these past few weeks.

P.V., I was just kiddin’. The boys have been doin’ a great job helpin’ around the place, Ted said. Both Eric and Tommy smiled. Ted and Vic gave them some pats on their backs. Well, anyway, boys, you might as well ride along with us to town. We’ll take the wagon and you two can ride Thunder and Lightning and then get some fishin’ in. Then we can ride back together.

Sounds good to me, but what about Tyler, Timmy, and Elizabeth? Tommy asked. Also, can we have some breakfast first?

Well, you two slept in a little late. The women and the younger kids are at the school with Miss Jackson, at a meeting to plan a pie social. You’ll have to scrounge breakfast for yourself, Vic said. There are some eggs and bacon on the counter.

Be careful, though. P.V. cooked them, Ted said. Both boys scrambled over to the counter and grabbed some breakfast.

They soon finished eating and helped Ted and Vic hitch up the wagon, tacked up Thunder and Lightning, their three-year old geldings that each got for Christmas, and they were on their way. The ride to town was a fun one. The buds were beginning to come out on the bushes and trees. The sun was warming them, even though it was the beginning of April, which could be quite cold in northern Wisconsin. Ted and Vic joked with the boys and gave them some pointers on where the best fishing spots were on the Flag River, which ran through Port Falls.

Now boys, I know you’re not as good at fishin’ as I was when I was your age, but with the expert advice I’ve given you, you should catch a few. Ted nodded as he said this. Both boys rolled their eyes. I saw that, you young bucks! Ted exclaimed. They soon reached Doc Smith’s office. Well, boys, be careful along the banks of the river and watch out for sink holes and quicksand, and don’t tie the horses up too short, ‘cause they might hurt themselves.

Yeah, Ted, don’t fret, we’ll probably survive, Eric said, as he and Tommy trotted off on their horses, while holding on to their fishing poles.

We’ll see you in a while, Vic said.

The boys rode down main street in Port Falls. A few people were out and about at various shops that lined main street. There was a huge building, that the locals called the Block. It was made out of sandstone blocks. It held a number of shops, including a barber shop, diner, tavern, meeting and dance hall, and various other small shops. As they passed the Block, a tall, older man with grayish brown hair and blue eyes, gazed intently at them. He turned to another person on the street and said, Who are those two youngsters?

The person replied, Oh, that’s Eric Soderlund and Tommy Carson. They live out in the Evergreen township with Ted and Margaret Carson and Evelyn Soderlund. They are a couple of fine boys.

"Did you say, Tommy Carson?" The older man replied.

Yep, he lived in town up until sometime last December. He was living in the tar paper shack a few blocks over yonder. It was a bad situation. He now lives with Ted Carson, the author, and he sure is coming around nicely, He gave a nod to the older man and then walked into the Block.

Tommy Carson, the older man muttered to himself, I think he’s the boy I’ve been looking for. He carefully watched the two boys ride down toward the Flag River. He opened up his jacket, revealing a pistol, and checked to see that it was loaded.

The boys soon arrived at the Flag River, which was just down the road from town, toward the great Lake Superior. The river was a bit swollen from the spring melt.

Wow, the river is kinda high today, Eric said. Tommy nodded. The boys tied up the horses next to the road and meandered their way through some well-beaten trails. They baited their hooks with some worms that they had dug the night before and threw the lines in the water. It wasn’t long before they were getting some bites and hauled in a few brook trout, and even a rainbow trout. They put them on a stringer and kept on fishing.

Eric spotted some willows growing along the banks of the river. He took out his new pocket knife and cut a branch from one of the smaller trees. Tommy looked at him, curiously. My dad used to make whistles for me from willow branches when he took me fishin’, Eric said. I think I can make one like he did. Eric cut a complete circle near one end of the branch and slipped the bark off. He carved a notch in the green wood, cut a hole in the bark piece that he took off, and then slipped the bark back on the wood. He then cut the branch so that the piece was only about six inches long. He tried blowing on the end, but couldn’t make a sound. Hmm, I must be forgetting something, he said, with a puzzled look on his face.

Let me try, Tommy said. He blew, but could make no sound. I think you gotta trim a little more wood from under the bark. Tommy took his new pocket knife and slipped the loose bark off the ‘whistle’ and carved a little from the notch to the end of the whistle. He then slipped the bark back on and blew. Sure enough, a shrill whistle sound came out.

How did you figure that out? Eric asked.

I’ve seen them made a time or two.

Let me try. Eric took the whistle and blew. The whistle was loud and piercing. Wow, that’s a great whistle! Eric said. Tommy cut another branch and made a whistle in short order. For a while, their sounds filled the air. The boys eventually grew tired of them and put them in their pockets for later. They tended their fishing poles, which they stuck in the ground, but they didn’t get any more bites.

The older man, who was asking questions in town about the boys, came walking down the trail toward them. Tommy and Eric looked up at him as he approached. Hi, Eric said, You goin’ fishin’?

I sure am, The man said. Say, my name is Clark. Who are you?

I’m Eric, Eric said. The man glanced at him and smiled.

I’m Tommy, Tommy added. The man fixed his eyes on Tommy for quite a while. Tommy and Eric gave each other some nervous glances.

Well, I guess I better get fishing, Clark said, as he began walking past the boys, farther down one of the paths by the river. Good luck now. The boys continued fishing for a while.

Strange, whispered Tommy.

I’ll say, said Eric. He hardly looked at me, but he sure seemed interested in you.

That’s ‘cause I’m better lookin’ than you, Tommy chuckled.

"No, I’m definitely better lookin’ than you," Eric replied.

I doubt it. Anyway, that guy scares me. If he’s goin’ fishin’, how come he doesn’t have a rod? Tommy looked nervously down the path where Clark went.

Yeah, and he’s wearin’ nice, clean clothes. I sure wouldn’t wear anything like that, fishin’.

Let’s get outta here, Tommy said. Both boys grabbed their fishing poles and reeled in the lines. Eric grabbed the stringer of fish, and they ran back on the trail to the road. They untied the horses, jumped on them, and galloped them back toward town. They were about a hundred yards down the road when Clark appeared, with a drawn pistol, and stepped out on the road. Tommy glanced back in time to see him. What does he have in his hand? Tommy asked, as he and Eric were riding hard. Clark just stood there, with his eyes narrowed. He put the pistol back in its holster and he walked back toward town.

Eric looked back. Can’t really tell, but let’s keep goin’. They raced back through the streets and went to the church, where Ted and Vic were supposed to be. The boys jumped off the horses, tied them, and raced into the building. They sprinted down the aisle, past the pulpit and into a side room, where Vic’s office was. He and Ted were sitting in the office.

Dad—Ted, some strange guy came after us when we were fishin’! Tommy said.

Yeah, he didn’t have a fishin’ pole, and he had clean clothes, and he looked at Tommy for a long time and then walked down the trail by the river. He said his name was Clark! Eric almost shouted.

I think he had a pistol in his hand when he was comin’ after us. We raced the horses back here! Tommy said, with his eyes as big as saucers. He kept looking back and forth at Ted and Vic.

Well, when I hear you describe a strange guy with clean clothes and no fishin’ pole, that kind of sounds like P.V., Ted mentioned, as he slapped Vic on the back.

Pay no attention to Ted, Vic said. Are you sure he had a pistol?

Well, not really, but it could have been, Tommy replied.

Let’s go take a look. Was he following you? Vic asked.

I think so, Eric said. The four of them quickly walked out the door and headed down the main street toward the river. There was no sign of anyone, other than the Saturday morning shoppers by the Block. They walked a little longer and stopped and waited a while. No one fitting Clark’s description was found.

Well, boys, we’ll definitely keep our eyes peeled for a stranger in town. Anyway, it might have been your imagination, and it might not. After the stuff you two have been through, I don’t blame you for bein’ jumpy, Ted said.

We will be a little longer in the church office, but when we are done, we will buy you two some lunch at the diner, Vic mentioned. Both boys perked up at this.

Let’s take the horses for a ride to the lake, Eric said. Tommy agreed. The boys threw their fish in the wagon and hopped on their horses and started to ride. Let’s take the other road to the lake. I don’t want to run into that strange guy again, Eric mentioned.

Sounds good to me, Tommy replied.

Now you boys be careful. If you see anything suspicious, you get back here right away, Ted said. The boys rode off on a longer route to the lake that let them avoid the area where they previously met Clark.

The fresh lake breeze made the ride invigorating, and their geldings, despite being only three years old each, were well behaved and kept a good pace. They soon came to the area close to the lake, where the huge virgin pine trees grew. These monsters were four to five feet in diameter and towered over one hundred feet tall. The fresh pine scent was heavy in the air as the boys were riding. Their branches formed an interlocking canopy above the road, making it look like the boys were riding in a huge dark green tunnel.

Boy, the pines sure smell great! Tommy said, as they rode.

They smell almost as good as me in the mornin’, Eric mentioned.

You must have heard wrong. I said the pines smell great. I didn’t say they smelled like a dead animal,

Eric laughed. The boys kept riding. They made the turn in the road and saw the big lake. A brisk wind hit them in the face and they could smell the fresh lake scent that was like no other in the world. It was wild, fresh, and free. It brought out the adventure in people, especially ten-year-old boys. The horses caught the scent in their nostrils and picked up the pace, trying to break into a run. It was all the boys could do to hold them to a trot.

They came to the lake and could see the whitecaps on the water, contrasting with the dark blue body of the lake. A few gulls were flying in the air. There were also canoes, rowboats, and some commercial fishing boats (steamers and a few of the ‘newer’ Kahlenberg diesel-powered boats) docked in the port. As the boys continued on, they rode up to the expansive dock at the harbor, where huge piles of lumber, cut from the Port Falls mill, were stacked, waiting to be taken away on the big steamships that would come from Duluth, Minnesota. Timber and fishing were the lifeblood of Port Falls. The port was a busy place, even on a Saturday.

Those are some mighty fine looking horses, boys! One of the dock workers said, as he paused for a moment from stacking lumber. He was a young guy, about twenty years old, and powerfully built, from the hard work on the dock.

Thanks, Eric replied, We got ‘em for Christmas.

Wow, I sure wish I got that kind of Christmas present, the man replied. The only things I remember gettin’ for Christmas were socks and long johns. He and the boys laughed. They went past the loading dock and rode the horses along the sand beach. The horses kept spooking at the waves and the wind, and it was all they could do to keep seated. They finally jumped off the horses and tied them to a hitching post. They then walked back down to the beach and took off their boots and socks and rolled up their pants legs. The sand was ice cold, but the boys didn’t care. They walked in the water up to their knees, which was about as far as they could tolerate it. They searched for agates along the shore and in the shallow water. It took a while, but each boy found a few small ones. The shiny brown rocks with the deep ingrained white lines were local treasures.

I could do this all day, Tommy said. Eric nodded in agreement.

Yep, sure beats chores, Eric said.

What are you two clowns doin’? A voice came from behind them. Tommy and Eric whirled around and saw Lyle and Sven, the two schoolyard bullies from Evergreen, standing there.

None of your business, Lyle, just leave us alone, Eric warned.

Why don’t you make me? Lyle asked, as he and Sven approached the boys. Lyle was a brown-haired boy and Sven had the blond hair of his Swedish ancestors. Lyle stooped down, picked up Eric’s and Tommy’s boots, and threw them into the lake, laughing. Eric and Tommy immediately ran out of the water to him and a fight ensued. Fists were flying and the boys scrambled around in the sand. Sven caught Tommy with a right handed punch to the head and Tommy fell on his back. Eric dropped Lyle with a right hand to the face. Lyle fell to his knees and started crying, holding both hands to his nose. Tommy got up from the sand and tackled Sven, who fell back and bumped his head on a log.

Here, let me help you wash your nose! Eric shouted as he dragged Lyle over to the water and dunked his head in a wave. Lyle sputtered. Eric picked him up and threw him into the water. Now, you got ten seconds to get our boots back or you’re gonna get a worse thrashin’! Eric shouted. Lyle’s eyes were wide with fear and he fumbled around in the waves and collected the boys’ boots, threw them on the sand, and then he and Sven ran away.

Eric picked up his boots, which were dripping with water. Mom’s not gonna be happy about this, He said. These are almost new. I hope they aren’t ruined.

Mine too! Tommy said, as he looked forlornly at his boots, which were soaked as well. The boys used their jackets to try to dry off the boots. They then put their socks and wet boots on and went back to the horses. When they got to the hitching post, they saw no sign of the horses. Panic overtook them and they ran around the dock and grounds, looking for them.

The dock worker who was talking to them earlier came walking toward them, leading Thunder and Lightning. I saw a couple of hooligans untying your horses and waving their hands at them, he said. I think it was that Lyle and Sven. They’re always hanging around, causing trouble. I figured I better catch them before someone else claimed them.

Thanks so much! Eric said, We took care of Sven and Lyle.

Good for you. I hope you thrashed them good! The man replied. By the way, my name’s Willy. What’s yours?

I’m Tommy.

I’m Eric.

It’s nice to meet you. Now you boys take good care of those horses, you hear?

Thanks, Willy, we owe you, Tommy said.

Don’t mention it, Willy replied. The boys hopped on their horses and rode toward the church.

I think some food is gonna taste pretty good about now, Eric declared.

Yeah, I’m hungry, Tommy said. They took the more direct route back to town, past the area where they previously saw Clark. They looked carefully in the area where they went off the road to fish in the stream, but could see no one. Before long, they reached the church and told Ted and Vic about their adventure with Lyle and Sven.

Well, boys, I’m glad it turned out all right with getting your boots back, but what do you think Lyle and Sven think about you now? Vic asked, while he and Ted looked solemnly at the boys.

Yeah, but they scared our horses and threw our boots in the lake, Eric replied. We had to stand up to them. Tommy nodded in agreement.

Did fighting them make your boots drier? Vic asked.

No, I guess not, Tommy said.

What could you have done instead? Vic asked. What do you think Jesus or one of his disciples would have done if that had happened to them? Both boys cast their eyes down at the floor in Vic’s office and didn’t say anything.

Well, I think P.V. is waitin’ for a response, Ted said.

I-I-I guess he wouldn’t have done anything to them. He probably would have ignored what they did wrong and said something nice to them instead, Eric said.

Yeah, and maybe he would have asked them if there was anything they needed, maybe if they were hungry or somethin’. And maybe he would have offered them one of the fish he caught, Tommy added.

I know for a fact that Lyle and Sven each live in pretty bad situations, Vic said. "Their folks don’t treat the boys well at all, which probably encourages them to be mean to other kids. You see, boys, the natural reaction to somebody doing something bad to you is to get them back. Jesus was totally different. When he said to turn the other cheek and to love your enemies, that was something the people had not heard before. That is what makes us different. That is what is so amazing about following Jesus!"

So, fellas, what are you going to do to fix this? Ted asked. I think you have a couple of boys who don’t think you acted like a follower of Jesus would act.

But Ted, they’re nothing but bullies, they’ll just keep being mean to us if we don’t get ‘em back, Eric said, while looking off in the distance.

Probably, Ted replied. I don’t think Jesus said that you should only do good to others when you expect them to do somethin’ good back to you. He never said this was gonna be easy.

"On the other hand, if you keep gettin’ ‘em back, is that goin’ to make them start bein’ nice to you?" Ted asked.

No, that’s for sure, Tommy replied.

So, what we have here is that there is the strong possibility that no matter what you do to them, good or bad, they will probably continue to treat you in a mean way, Vic said. With that in mind, what do you think Jesus wants you to do to them, considering that no matter what, you will probably be treated badly by them?

That’s easy. Jesus would want us to be kind to them, Eric said.

You boys say that you want to be missionaries and go to far-off countries and tell people about Jesus, Vic said. I think you just got your first assignment.

Yeah, but this ain’t a far-off country, Tommy said.

We are a half a world away from the place where Jesus stood and said to make disciples of all nations, Ted mentioned. So, guess what. We’re in a far-off country right now. Ted and Vic put their arms around the boys’ shoulders and they all walked out to the wagon together.

You guys are kinda tricky, Tommy mentioned. Ted and Vic laughed.

What should we do? Eric asked.

You tell me, Vic replied, "You two are the missionaries."

Maybe we can go find them and invite them to come and have lunch with us at the diner, Tommy said.

Yeah, they probably don’t get to do that very often, Eric added.

That might be a start, Vic said. Do you boys want to take your horses and go look for them? Ted and I will meet you at the diner. The boys took off on their horses, heading back to the lake.

Well, P.V., we’ll just have to see how that works out. Our boys are learnin’.

Yes, hopefully they will learn that you don’t solve problems with your fists, Vic mentioned. Even though I still love boxing! Ted laughed as they got into the wagon and headed down the street.

The boys rode by the Flag River, where they had their previous encounter with Clark. Tommy looked carefully at the brush and trees by the river, still looking for a sign of him, but saw nothing. They kept on trotting over the bridge and on to the lake.

Hey, let’s either gallop or walk, Eric said, while bouncing in his saddle. This trotting stuff is hard on the backside."

I’ll say, Tommy replied. If we keep this up much longer, I’m gonna have to sit on some ice. The boys laughed and took off into a canter.

They reached the harbor area and looked around for any sign of Lyle or Sven. They soon saw them behind a fish shed, trying to light some cigar stubs that they found lying around. Lyle and Sven looked up at them, sitting on Thunder and Lightning. Lyle’s eyes narrowed, and he said, What do ya want now? You come to show off on those horses of yours? It suddenly dawned on Tommy, how Lyle and Sven probably viewed Eric and him—as a couple of spoiled rich kids who always got everything they wanted.

Yeah, did ya have some trouble findin’ ‘em after we chased ‘em off? Sven added.

Listen you— Eric started. He quickly recovered and said, Nah, one of the workers caught ‘em and brought ‘em to us. That was a pretty funny trick you played on us, though. Eric looked carefully at Sven and Lyle. They were both dressed in ragged clothes, with boots that had big holes in them. It was also pretty obvious that they had not had a bath in a while, with dirt streaked all over their faces. Sven’s blond hair was almost brown with dirt and Lyle’s brown hair was also in need of a good washing. Both boys were pretty thin and their eyes emanated sadness. They stood with their arms crossed, facing Tommy and Eric, who were still on their horses.

Too bad ya got your horse back, Orphan Boy, Lyle said, to Tommy.

Hey, you— Tommy started to say. He also recovered and said, Yeah, my life was lousy for a long time. It was tough, not havin’ enough to eat and all.

At least you got it good now, Lyle said, while kicking at the ground with his foot and looking