The Gift

[C.O.B.]

It was a day of celebration, the family was there from all corners of the country. There were aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and cousins. In addition to the extended family there were some close friends and business partners.
Stories were told and memories shared. There was laughter and some tears.

It wasn't Christmas or even a birthday, everyone was gathered at Windy Hill just outside Erie Pennsylvania at the family estate of Charles "Chuck" Walker. Chuck as he was called by his friends organized this get together some six months ago. Today they celebrated his life, the long tough fight with Cancer was over. Though it was called a blessing by all it still didn't take the pain away or fill the empty void. They knew it was coming the last few years were hard on Chuck. Just because you know the end is in sight there really is no preparation for that final hour of a loved one.

One of the last guests to leave was William Evans, Chucks oldest and dearest friend. They grew up together and both had graduated from Harvard. Chucks degree was in business and William's was law. He was the family attorney and the executor of the estate.

Thad was Chucks second son and as he and his older brother Edward and younger sister Mary were thanking the guests for the prayers and condolences William slipped a note to Thad and whispered "Your dad gave me this some time ago and asked that I pass it along. He also requested that you read it alone in private. He also entrusted a package for you and I have put it in the library".

After Thad's wife had gone to bed the big house became eerily quiet, he went to the library and poured himself a stiff drink. The ice made a seemingly loud noise as it went into the crystal glass and crackled as the Bourbon poured over it like water over the rocks of a trout stream. The rich amber colored drink burned and soothed at the same time as he took a long pull from the glass. He saw the case right away on the library table. He was intimately familiar with the Red Head LOM case and he knew what was inside it.

He sat in the leather wing back chair for a while and thought about how he got to where he was today, about the roads taken and those not taken. Tonight the chair just wasn't as comfortable as he remembered. He was deep in thought when Sturm came in and nudged his leg. He got his ears scratched the went and curled up on the sofa to dream the things that only an old bird dog dreams.

Thad's Grandfather was Victor Charles Walker and in all honesty it was he who had made all this possible in the beginning. Victor had the Midas touch and was a shrewd business man. Most of the things he ventured into became a success not only for him but others as well. There were lumber holdings in Vermont, New Hampshire and Main. He had invested in Bethlehem Steel and Hershey, coal mines in West Virginia but the crown jewel in Walker Holdings however was the thousand acres near Beaumont Texas. Everyone thought he was crazy to buy land at the height of the depression. "They aren't making more land" he would tell them and it was cheap all things considered. Ten years or so later oil was discovered and as they say "The rest is history".

Thad poured his second drink and once again looked at the case but didn't touch it. He remembered sitting on his Grandfathers lap and rubbing Neat's Foot Oil into the leather. "A good gun deserves a good case" he would say and "you need to take care of it just like you need to take care of the gun that goes inside it, there a team you know the gun and the case". He would ask " Grandpa how many birds did you get?". the answer varied little "A few or we had a great time, or some". The stories always centered around the camaraderie of the group, the guns and the dogs, especially the dogs. The birds were the common ground that bound them all together. After a while the lesson wasn't lost on Thad that there was much more to bird hunting than the act of killing a bird.

He recalled a story his Grandfather told him about his Uncle Bud. Seems they were grouse hunting in Minnesota and had put in a long day with little or no results. As they were walking back to the vehicle along an old logging road Bud's pointer Rebel locked up solid as a stone. His white tail was straight up in the air like a furry flag pole, a stark contrast to the dull greys and blacks of the trees and the red, yellow and orange leaves on the ground. Bud circled to come into Rebel from the front so the dog could see him. A Woodcock for sure he reasoned and he wasn't prepared for the Grouse that flushed. This was no ordinary flush no sir. That bird took his leisurely time about getting airborne and he flew right down the middle of the road! A chip shot for any hunter, Bud's Purdy came up and blocked out the slow flying bird and he pressed the front trigger....click.....the second trigger........click again and the bird flew to freedom. Bud couldn't believe it two misfires, it was the only opportunity he had all day. He opened his gun with words to the effect that Remington was going to hear about this and almost fell over when he saw two empty chambers. He had hunted all day with an empty gun! Victor couldn't control his laughter and after a few seconds Bud joined in. He apologized to Rebel and they laughed all the way back and for years after that as well.

He was midway into his third drink when he opened the letter that Mr. Evans had given him. It read in part. "Son as you know I have done my best to be equal in my dealing with you and your brother and sister. I have taken great care to see that the education of the Grandkids is secure and that my family will be well cared for. This is a personal thing between you and me and my one regret is I'm not doing this in person. Your Grandfather entrusted his favorite shotgun to me and now I pass it on to you. I'm proud of all my kids and there accomplishments but this is just for you. Your brother Robert's passion is the art of the deal and business. This is fine as he will make a great CEO and continue with the business. Mary is raising a family and her husband Peter is a great guy and an asset to the company also but he wouldn't know an English Pointer from a German Shepherd. You took your own path much as your Grandfather did and made your own luck and road out the hard times and celebrated the good ones. Your a successful Veterinarian and a fine dog trainer. Your passions are the dogs and the birds much the same as your Grandfather and he would be proud to have you be the next caretaker of his gun. The intrinsic value of the gun is not the monetary value but the stories it can tell and it can tell stories if you listen. It's the hunters, the camps and the dogs it has shot over. It's a part of our heritage, our family. Use it and tell your children about their grandfather and great grandfather. Make your own memories and someday pass it along to your son. I love you Thad....Dad."

Thad walked over to the case and was surprised that his hand trembled a little as he opened it. He knew what it was all along but still a tear welled up in his eyes as he slid the barrels from there velvet sock. They were 28 inches long chocked IC/M and marked Parker Bros Makers Meriden Conn Acme Steel. The stock was a fine piece of walnut that his Grandfather had personally selected and it was a straight stock to a Skelton butt. He put it together and even after a hundred years it was rock solid. It showed use but not abuse. The bluing was worn on the barrels the case coloring was only in the most protected areas and the Skelton but was shiny from thousands of contacts with a shoulder. He pointed it at the Pheasant on the wall the twin ivory beads lined right up. He swung on an imaginary right to left crosser. He set the BHE 20 gauge in the corner and gave a scratch to Sturm. They had an early morning as he was going to take the dog and the Parker along with his father and grandfather for a walk, after all it was bird season.

[nid-28]

A wonderful story that can be read many times. It brings tears to your eyes and it is a joy to read and think about. Thank you. BD

[Robert Brooks]

Thank you and I really enjoyed it. Bobby

[Chris T.]

Rich,
My favorite bit of a story from this website is the one where (correct me if I'm thinking of someone else) your grandmother with her dying breath, said something like...make sure Rich gets my Parker.

[Dean Romig]

You spin a darn nice yarn Rich - very nice indeed.





.

[C.O.B.]

Chris that sounds like a good story but it's not mine. My Grandfather did ask that his Parker trap gun be given to a friend of his that otherwise couldn't afford it. When he died my grandmother gave the gun to the gentleman. My Mom said it was an A1 Special.

[Quigley97]

As always Rich a darn nice story and a joy to read. Thank you.

[Charles Matthews]

Very nice story Rich. You touched all the emotions that are meaningful in life.

Charles

[charlie cleveland]

you have a way with words....charlie

[DoubleDown]

Love it. Damn fine story Rich.

M.