Ron, “Malted Milk”, That brings back some good memories. Gary

 

A Horsetale From Dad (Cliff Metcalfe)

The moral of this story told to me often, probably could be from a saying often quoted by my dad, Cliff Metcalfe.
“One boy, half a man. Two boys ain’t worth a______.”
The Louis Bergan family and William (#1) Metcalfe family were friends and neighbors in Hillside Township for many years from the early 1900’s-1935.
Emil Metcalfe and Clayton Bergan were about the same age and enjoyed an easy and life long-lasting friendship.
Quiet and gentle Emil (Cliff fondly called him ‘Joes’) allowed Cliff who was younger by about three years tag along on his ventures with Clayton.
A July /August adventure very quickly turned to be an almost fatal disaster.
One sunny Sunday afternoon, in the early 30’s, the three “boys” were left to their own devices. They were all left together for some reason. “Boys will be boys”, who want to prove their worth as men.” (William)Bill Metcalfe had a yearling colt which was broke to lead but someday he planned to brake to drive.
Clayton and ‘Joes’ through talking came up with clever idea. Hmmm. No one else was around, and were very through convincing each other as they talked the idea through. Clayton and Emil were “men” enough for this job! They had seen horses broke by other men. They were big enough to do the job! And Cliff decided he was big enough to help them.
After catching the green broke gelding,Cliff hung onto the halter, while the other two managed to collar and pull on a harness. The horse became a nervous, sidestepping mustang! Around and round and shied. With much effort he was finally quiet and hooked up solo to the springbox wagon.
The boys were quite certain, that now, was the easy part. Just jump in the wagon and go for a Sunday drive. And return to the farm with that horse pulling the wagon. Ah, show everyone what they had done. And imagined, How proud Bill Metcalfe would be.
Emil was first to crawl up on the wagon seat. In his broad capable hands, he took up the reins. Clayton, a slender sandy haired young fellow, climbed up to next to ‘Joes’ to ride shot gun and specifically give advice on how to accomplish the job.
Cliff let go of the horse, moved quickly as not to be left behind, jumped into the box to stand behind the two older boys.
Suddenly the horse gave a mighty leap,with a snort and a squeal burst into a mad gallop. An immediate runaway! The wagon took off bouncing up and down, up and down! To and fro over the trail then across the trail! NO brake! What a ride with three boys hanging for dear life onto the careening seat!
Try with all his might, there was no easy way ‘Joes’ could slow the horse down. Finally! A bright idea! Clayton pointed toward two lone trees,and stutteringly yelled, “Pu—put him–wite– be-tween d–d–does too tw—ees…..” ‘Joes’ put all his weight into the reins and with both hands steered. Cliff hung on as the horse leapt between the two trees, the harness snapped, next the single tree went, and off gallopped the horse the reins trailing along behind. The wagon jarred to a sudden stop! A blunt stop, stuck right between the two trees! The three boys sailed out quick as a whistle, over the wagon onto a rock pile………………………..
………………….Hot, hot hot. The sun was hot overhead.
The next thing Cliff recalled, he woke up, walking, slinking along in the shade of the horse all the while holding his throbbing head. ‘Joes’ groaned and moaned as he led the horse holding onto his ribs. And, Clayton? Clayton with nary a scratch, un harmed, took off in another direction for home.
The boys did not brag to anyone of their adventure or complain about their injuries. Nor were they punished for this adventure. William Metcalfe was a man who somehow knew the boys had learned a lesson that Sunday afternoon.
Years later during W.W.II, ‘Joes’, in the army air corp., and Cliff in the navy,were told separately, one on the Atlantic Front, the other on the Pacific Front. Emil, was told that he’d broken his ribs sometime. Cliff was told he’d had a severe concussion at some point in his life.

Years later when they were discussing this together. Emil told Cliff he landed on his chest on a big boulder and Cliff had landed on his head unconscious. And, Clayton rolled. Emil and Clayton caught the horse and got Cliff up and walking.

They chuckled heartily, as they remembered the day when three boys discovered they were not yet men. And they, the boys of Hillside….always enjoyed their life long friendship.

This is story I’ve told to my nieces and nephews, I tell them it’s a tale from their Grandpa Cliff. Vickie Metcalfe/November 2009

Gary,
For what it’s worth;
Attached is a story about three friends I wrote last November.
Also attached is a photo of the children of Bergan School ie
Hillside School. Kenny Nerpel’s Mom, my cousin, Eleanor Rose
(Metcalfe ) Nerpel identified the students;

“‘Vickie.

After much deliberation Mom identified the folks in the picture.
I’m thinking this photo was probably taken more than 75 years ago.

L to R and top to bottom:

Madeline LaRocque, Lilly Lajimodiere, Agnes Belgarde
Clayton Bergen, Leona Metcalfe, Martin Belgarde
Nellie Evans, Clifford Metcalfe, Ole Evans
Arne Evans, Eleanor Metcalfe
Clarence Martinson, Emil Metcalfe

Kenny “

Friends; My dad’s story Of Friendships of Yesteryear.
My Dad, Cliff was seven when he started school at
Hillside/Bergan School with his niece Eleanor Rose Metcalfe,she was
age six. My Uncle Bill (William II) and Aunt Mary lived just across
Rabbit City Lake from William Metcalfe (the elder). The Martin
Evan’s, the Jim Anthony’s, the Louis Bergans, the Lajimodieres ,
William Metcalfe’s I & II, and the Poitra’s all lived close by that
lake. They were a little community of friends and helpful neighbors.
I think the photo is about that time. My dad was fond of his
memories of Hill SIde School. Many times in he’d break into his
tenor voice; singing,

“Hill Side will shine tonight, hillside will shine,”

Dad said, “Of all the kids in school there was one he
wasn’t too fond off. Arnie Evans.”

Then, he tell me the story of a hot, awful day in
late July 1935. “He had just turned twelve. “The children of
Hillside were all leaving the school house, friendly visiting after
a days work. Ah, on the way home on a bright sunny day. Someone met
them saying, ” Billy Metcalfe died”.

“All of the children took off, on a run, for their homes.
They left Cliff far behind. Cliff, running blindly with no
direction. Stumbled through the woods sobbing. Not seeing. Not
hearing. He RAN. And Ran and ran. . . When out of now where.
HUMph! “Clotheslined!” across the foreneck , a jarring fall. He
laid on the ground dazed, then caught his breath. He snottered and
wept for some time. A small hand came out of now where, gently
patted and rubbed his back. Then, finally a voice, came with the
hand. …. Arnie Evan’s soothing voice, ” Lean on me Cliff, I’ll
walk with you home.”

My father said, “before that day I had not been too fond of
Arnie. But Arnie’s gesture came when the now fatherless boy was in
desperate need of a friend.”

And I? Whenever I hear a certain song, I think of a hot
day in July and the boys of Hill Side, “LEAN ON ME”. When your’e not
strong, ……..I’ll be your friend………….

Haste Ye Back. Vickie Metcalfe

L to R and top to bottom:

Madeline LaRocque, Lilly Lajimodiere, Agnes Belgarde
Clayton Bergen, Leona Metcalfe, Martin Belgarde
Nellie Evans, Clifford Metcalfe, Ole Evans
Arne Evans, Eleanor Metcalfe
Clarence Martinson, Emil Metcalfe