The Path ~ Chapter Two

The inside of the cabin was unremarkable for the most part as I recall, but warm and comfortable.

‘Now Nathan would you care for some tea?’
‘Thank you yes sir.’ I replied, still looking around to see what treasures might be in this home of a man who was gradually enthralling me.

There were no appliances as I recall. By that I mean a refrigerator or such. Just an old iron stove, a large bowl, some shelving, a bed, and table and chairs that very much looked hand hewn. There was a very well placed and an ample sized fireplace. Floors of wood and the distinct smell of the forest that was ever-present. Shutters for windows, and a good strong door, which he left open, so the breeze could circulate through the house.

Mr. Alvin came over and handed me a cup and saucer politely. Delicate and clean, out of place in a way in the rustic surroundings. There was a pattern on the cup and saucer that looked familiar somehow, but by this time much of what was surrounding me had that feeling about it. The tea was delicious, with a hint of mint.
As he sat he asked.

‘So you hail from the open valley down a ways eh?’
‘Yes sir, my father has a farm and we raise corn and have a few animals as well.’
‘The farm with the red roof and three chimneys?’ he asked, just before he sipped his tea.
‘Why yes sir! That is the place. Have you been by?’
He smiled
‘No but there are a few high spots on the mountain where I can see the valley below, and I have noticed your farm. It is a neat and well thought out property.’

Well thought out? What an odd turn of phrase….I've never heard it put that way before. This was a fascinating man. Finally in a lull I blurted out.
‘What do you mean well thought out, sir?’

He chuckled again as he always did and smiling, said
‘Forgive me son, it is how I see things…orderly or not... but then perhaps living in the forest all of these years I am used to orderliness.’
He smiled again and sipped his tea.

‘Do you ever leave the forest to go into town sir?’ I asked.
‘Well I have been to town a time or two, but not in years and years now. I have everything a man needs right here. ’
‘What about food and such?’ I asked.
‘Oh I'm sorry son you haven't had the tour yet….here come with me.’

With that we went to the back dutch door of the cabin and stepped out. There before me was the most lovely half acre of garden, with corn, tomatoes, greens and more, all planted and growing in straight even rows. A healthier crop I don't think I ever saw. The corn was full, rich and tall, tomatoes just blooming but very large in size, all in all a splendid little crop in my estimation.

‘And you have a well?’
He chuckled. ‘Well no but the stream isn't far and as you tasted….there is no better water.’ He said with a wink.

‘But wouldn't it be so much easier if you had a well especially in the winter time?’

‘You probably have a very good point there but then I have worked very hard to wear down that path to the stream. It would be a shame to see it all grown over.’ He laughed again and re-entered the house.

I was torn between true fascination to an almost heady degree, and puzzlement. There was always a smile in his voice, and a kindness of the rarest form. Other times he had trouble even telling a story from front to end for the breaks of chuckles and outright laughter which I have to admit was an intoxicating mix. I was drawn like a moth to flame by this caring and sturdy old gent.

On returning to the cabin I spied in the corner a fiddle leaning against the wall. ‘You play?’ I asked boldly.
His smile broadened.
‘Oh I know a tune or two.’ Again there was that impish wink.
‘Will you show me?’
‘Well it's been a couple of days….let’s see what these fingers remember.’

He lifted the fiddle and spun it in the air before catching it again and slipped it under his chin tuning the strings carefully.

‘Lets see, what can I play for you?…a jig?…a waltz?..perhaps something the trees might enjoy!'.

And with that he began to play Shenandoah. From note one, I was transfixed. Mesmerized! Tears began streaming down my face as the even tones wound their way from fiddle and bow, consuming the space that filled the room. This man did not simply play, he made the strings speak and sing with a voice I am unable to describe. It took my breath away.

Then as I was floating on the very edge of one part sadness, one part astonishment, he broke into a jig to set the world on fire. I learned later it was called The Foxhunters Jig. I was sitting there clapping and stomping my foot as the notes flew. Then as quickly as he broke into the jig he seamlessly dropped into Tennessee Waltz. What a whirlwind of emotions surging through me. At once lifting me, then tossing me up only to land in a feathered cushion of endless dimensions.

After the final note a silence, followed by the deeper silence of the forest once again. He muttered ‘Ah these old fingers have seen better days.’ I could not speak though I wanted to protest and beg for more, I simply could not speak.
He set the instrument back down where it was before.

‘She has kept me company on many a summers day and many many a chilled evening.’ You could tell he too was moved.

For a long moment or two there was this silence as he looked out his dutch door onto his forest.

‘Well then young Nathan.’ he spoke directly, ‘ did you have a good breakfast before you began this day?’
‘Why yes Sir, dad insists that each day begin with the proper food to keep up the strength.’
‘And when was this?’
‘Well sir I suppose it was around dawn.’
‘Dawn you say? And here it is far past mid morning, I am surprised you haven't spoken sooner about being hungry.’
‘Oh I am fine sir thank you, I don't feel hungry in the slightest.’
‘Well perhaps your thoughts are not going on about food but from the sound of it your stomach is.’

I hadn't noticed that my stomach was indeed protesting, it’s an easy thing for a young boy to set aside till later. There had been times in the past I remember now when I was severely and rightly lectured on paying attention to nutrition by dad, but here in this setting, with all the wonders I had seen and heard so far, it had once again slipped my mind.

‘Let’s fix you good mid day lunch to carry you awhile, eh.’
‘oh I'm ok really.’ I protested, which brought about a look from him I can only describe as a ‘come to the table now.’ sort of look. One not born of a sternness but more of unyielding guidance I knew so well.

When a boy sees a look like that from an adult he knows to hush and give way….in a manner of speaking.

Mr. Alvin busied himself calmly lifting this from there, shuffling things from one side to another. All quite fluid a pace, all very deliberate, each and every move flowed. I was watching his pace and rhythm, at no time did he ever seem harried or confused. A steadiness that was almost like a well performed dance is the best way I can describe it.
Setting two plates down at the table he joked.

‘Men like us need to be aware of the needs of the body as well as the spirit, eh Nathan?’
‘Yes sir we certainly do.’ was my smiling reply

There on my plate was a large thick fresh piece of bread some berries and a whitish colored butter. Before beginning Mr.Alvin whispered a small offering and then looked up and smiling said ‘ enjoy.’

It was a simple meal yet very tasty and filling.

‘This is delicious butter sir’ I said
‘That is because it is cheese son’ he chuckled
‘Cheese sir?’
‘Yes, small curd cheese, I made it yesterday so it should be fresh, I wasn't really expecting company.’
‘You make your own cheese?’
‘Yes indeed……..I make my own cheese.’ he had that chuckle again.
‘I didn't see a cow in the back yard sir’
‘Well, Belle is up a ways from the house….she’s a good cow, and a fine listener too if I say so myself.’

We ate for the most part in silence. Talking and eating don't really lend themselves to each other when you are an enthusiastic wide eyed boy. Somehow it always turns out you say something when you should be chewing and the adults are very quick to point it out. Trust me, I was on my best behavior. I have to say, that cheese had a specialness to it. Sweet but not heavy. And the bread was a meal unto itself. The berries a mix of colors and sizes, some very sweet others with a tang to them. I ate every single one.

‘Well young Nathan, what say I show you a bit more of this part of the world.’

I remember smiling at the thought of more adventures. I also wanted to get a look at that cow. It seemed the longer I was with Mr.Alvin the more surprises he would come up with, and deep inside I felt more welcomed and important than I ever felt before.

‘Ready when you are sir, and thank you for the lunch, I guess I was hungrier than I thought.’
‘I somehow got that impression too.’ He chuckled as he picked up the plates and brushed the crumbs out on the sill. He tapped lightly and said.
‘ lunch time, come and get it.’

I watched as four small birds, two brown, one speckled and the last a brilliant crimson color landed and picked up the crumbs then flew off.
‘That’s a pretty neat system sir.’ I remarked
‘Oh thats just part of the family, I would pay a heavy price if I forgot them.’

Once again, that now all too familiar chuckle as he spoke filled the air. I really like this man.

He looked around once last time, gathered his walking stick and said as he walked out the door. ‘ Off we go now.’