A Noteworthy Man

Nothing much, just remembering someone

 

The world is comprised of many kingdoms and domains. Some are big and some are very small, but they all have one thing in common--shepherds and sheep, rulers and the ruled, haves and have-nots. My being from a tiny southern town and a family poor, not only of finances, but of functionality, one might say I came from the bottom of everything, but that's neither here nor there. All you need to know is that my world was real, and no different than any other.

At the top of that tiny world was a noteworthy man of substantial worth. His name was Virgil Jones, but everyone called him Virg, or Mr. Jones. Six feet tall, slim, dark, with a head full of white, wavy hair, he was a good-looking man. Always a sharp dresser, he often wore a light grey or beige suit, cowboy boots and  hat, tipped to one side. A new car completed his very polished look, (usually a large Ford) and he commanded attention wherever he went around our small town, which, incidentally,  he owned a good bit of. The space in which my father had his watch and clock repair shop was rented from Mr. Jones, as was the house we lived in when I was born. In fact, the whole section of town south and west from the railroad tracks was called "Virg Jones town". Poor people lived in his rent-houses, and some might say he was a "slumlord", but I'll not call him that. We and others like us needed cheap places to live, and he provided them. He was apparently not ashamed of that area, and had his "ranch"  just half a mile down a dirt road from there. I say ranch in quotations because I don't know if his fancy spread really qualified for such nomenclature, although there were always a few horses in the pasture. What I do know is that his house, while rather old-looking, was big and fancy. Fanciest of all was his giant red barn with "Virg Jones" painted on the roof. I'd never seen anyone do that, nor have I since. Was it to impress folks flying over in airplanes? I don't know.  

My knowledge of Virg Jones is incomplete--I want you to know that. As far as I know, he was a good man. A bit of a peacock, yes, but certainly no villain. The only negative words I ever heard about him were spoken by my dad when he inferred that Mr. Jones was a womanizer. (That should raise howls of laughter from anyone who knew my dad, he being a womanizer, extraordinaire.)   

Occasionally, when I'm drawn back to my hometown, I drive by the now vacant field where our home used to be, turn the corner and go on down to Virg Jones's ranch. Much like everything else around that town, the property seems fit only for the habitation of ghosts. Always old, the house now appears positively ancient and ready to fall down in the first good wind gust. The barn doesn't stand so straight anymore, and it's once bright red paint has mostly disappeared,  as is the "Virg Jones" painted across the roof. I wonder, do you suppose Mr. Jones can see it from the desired vantage point now?

Author's Note

Something a little different. Did you find it at all interesting?

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Oh yes, I found it to be very interesting as it reminds me of our farm life in WV! We were dirt poor, my grandma and grandpa lived in company provided homes, and there was always somebody like Mr. Jones in the neighborhood!
I really, really liked this one Sam!! In fact, I am putting it in my favorite's file!
You make me wonder too if Mr. Jones can see his name from above, or "below"....clever ending!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Sheila. I didn't know if anyone outside those I grew up with would enjoy this, so I'm glad you found it interesting. I also wonder from which angle Ol' Virg might be viewing his name on the barn. Either way, I'll bet he wishes someone would get up there and freshen the paint.

[Seashell]

yes
As I have said before...I simply adore your writing and find it both interesting and easy to read....filled with small fragments of quirkiness scattered here and there.
I always have a smile on my face (just noticed) when I reach the last line...so thank you for that once more.
Babs x

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you so much. I'm happy that it made you smile.

[Marie]

Not as good as your regular stories but a good character sketch.
One thing:

"ranch" just half a mile down a dirt road from there. I say ranch in parenthesis(those are quote marks not parenthesis)

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Marie. Your sharp eyes did it again. (I told you I'm slipping) I've had ideas for some stories lately, but none of them have sufficiently gelled. With this, then, I guess I'm just stretching.