That was Funny

There was something that happened in my youth, that was probably one of the funniest things l have ever encountered. I remember it like it happened this morning. On the farm we had a hired man that was probably in his early twenties. 

My dad combined wheat leaving  high stubbles, well over a foot high. He also had a beautiful toolbox full of tools. A big toolbox a couple of feet high that opened on top revealing several rows of compartments that held small items. He had a habit of leaving it right where he used it. Paul was pulling a wagon up to the combine to dump wheat. He ran right over that tool box with the rear wheel of the tractor. Smashed it flat. 

My dad tried to straighten it out and actually used it for a while in its smashed condition. It was funny to me because Paul was kind of happy-go-lucky, and I knew the toolbox was there. Another thing that was amusing to me that I will always remember. We were talking in the barnyard, 

Dad was probably paying Paul for a week’s work and everyone was in a good mood. Paul bought a new Ford car every year and he was showing my dad His new car. My dad was completely flummoxed. The new car looked exactly like the old car. He had had a ’47 Ford and bought a new ’48 model. The ’48 model looked exactly like the ’47. Actually Ford did not change model from 1940 to 1948.

Paul explained that the ’47 model had one bar in back across the trunk and the ’48 model had two bars. My dad could not see why that made a difference, but I guess Paul could. In those days especially in our Mennonite Church many men traded their car every year. I guess it was kind of a status thing.

Anyway to me it was funny, Paul had a new car, even though it looked exactly like his old one.

—James Neuhouser