Putt, putt. Chug, chug. Throb, throb.
The others hear me approach. Can I do the work? Stay in the field for hours? Yes, yes. I’m a hard worker — dedicated. All I need is fuel and a little basic care.
If the engine is a tractor’s heart, mine is equal to many. I just make a little more noise as I work.
Forget the almost hum of the four-cylinder vehicles. I do well on two — thank you very much. Actually, I’m retired now, like many of my companions from the 1950’s. A few humans give us extra care and show off our skills in parades. But our days of raking hay, pulling wagons, and spreading manure and behind our drawbar.
Have you attended any old-time farm shows? Antique equipment displays? Remember, this (and similar) were the first motorized vehicles driven by many farm children — long before they were eligible for a driver’s license.
City girl Mona Smith gets her first driving lesson on a similar tractor in the small-town romance, Hiding Places. Another way of life, full of apple trees, observant people, and a quirky will presents challenges. Check out the book at the link. https://amzn.to/2Jm26GQ Makes a quick weekend read.
