I'd driven seven hours from home before I arrived at the Marquette Draft Horse Farms. The white P.C.V. fences had paced the main road for more than a mile when I turned into the tree lined drive.
Looking to either side of the driveway I saw Percherons, Halflingers, Belgians, Dutch Drafts, Shires, and mixed in a few fancy breeds of saddle horses. This is the place that breeds and sells the draft horses used in many famous parks around the country. I was itching to start and looking forward not having my wife on my butt too!
"Hi I'm Mister Adams, I called about the employment offer, remember?"
"Yes, yes I'm Frank Marquette the manager!"
He took my bag and walked me toward a long line of rooms that reminded me of a back road motel. I was left to unpack and dinner was at 6:30 sharpe!
Mister Marquette was direct and rather short with me on my arrival. I sat looking out my one front window as the ranch hands worked the big animals from the pasture and into holding corrals around the main barn.
As the dinner bell rang I sat and watched five new trainees walk quickly to the dinning area. I slowly walked out of my room and sauntered along letting the other employees get there first. The place reminded me of Army life and I chuckled about being drafted again.
As I walked into the big building the seated people turned to look at me from their picnic tables.
"You must learn to do as instructed and be on time if you are to remain an employee on my farm, Mister Adams!" said Mr. Marquette in a stern voice.
I walked the food line picking some of this and that. Then finding a seat I watched the hungry and seemingly scared employees quickly down the food and walk out.
I was the last one to finish and walked out the side door to take a self guided tour of the barns. I was just entering the big barn from the ridding stable when I overheard two men talking.
"Do you think the boss has it in for him already?" asked the taller of the two.
"You best not ask about him and remember that he warned you once already. One more time and you get gelded!