When The Germans Invaded Big Cove
The Old Spy Man
by
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Willie Longer was sitting on a bench with his feet propped on a wooden, soft drink flat. He leaned back, clasped his hands, and placed them behind his head. He was not looking at anyone in particular when he said, “I’m here to tell you folks, something is goin’ on. Miss Myrtle is skeared to death. Uncle Perc said he could hardly get her out of the house these days. Ya’ll know she’s skeared of her shadow, but this old German man that lives close to them is skearn'' her to death. She said he was humpbacked and was always stopin’ every little bit and lookin’ around like a hawk watchin’ a rabbit.” Milton Ducker was sitting on another bench that was across from Willie and next to the entrance to the store. He leaned back against the wall, moved his chew of tobacco from one cheek to the other and said, “What in the world are you talkn’ about, what old man?” “Well it’s something to do with that old German man that moved up yonder in Dick and Maude’s house,” Willie replied. “He’s been seen walkin’ around everywhere in the Cove and he ain’t too friendly. He just strolls across people’s property without askin’— so I’ve been told. Most of us around here don’t mind people crossin’ our property or huntn’ on it, but it sounds like he ain’t huntn’.” “Well, you know, I hadn’t heard anything about this before today. I’ll do some checkin’ around and see if I can find out who he is. What does Dick McPeter say about the old man?” “Well, Dick ain’t much for conversation, besides, he ain’t never around much,” Willie replied. “I think Uncle Perc said something to him about the old man. Dick told him not to worry about it; the old man seemed okay to him. You know Dick had rather have the rental money than to worry about somebody snoopin’ around the countryside. Besides, he’s movin’ to John Wharton, a tall, lanky, farmer, was leaning up against one of the porch post. He took a drag from his ready-rolled cigarette and flipped it into the dusty graveled parking lot. “I noticed this old man walkin’ down the road the other day,” he said. “I knowed he was a stranger in the Cove cause I throwed up my hand at him and he didn’t even wave. He just looked different from us too; it could be the same man. He was walkin’ with a walkin’ stick and I kinda thought he looked humpbacked, too.” I was still sitting on the edge of the porch sipping on my soda pop and eating my hoop-cheese and crackers. The conversation about the old German man was really getting my curiosity up. I didn’t know if I should be frightened or reluctant to believe any of the talkers. Although I believed most of them, most of the time, sometimes it was hard to distinguish the truth from a fictitious joke. I got up and moved closer to Willie. I sat down on the floor of the porch, and leaned back against the wall. I wanted to hear everything that was said.
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About the Book
This story is about a young southern boy who befriended an old German man. The old man and his wife lived with their son who was part of Dr. Werner Von Braun’s rocket team at Redstone Arsenal in
The German family moved to the nearby picturesque farming community of Big Cove,
About the Author
After suffering a stroke, Billy Stone retired in 1998, from the State of Billy began writing songs in the early 60’s and in the early 70’s teamed up with his friend, George Wells, to co-author over fifty songs. Following his stroke and months of therapy, he retrained himself to type and use the computer. He began writing short stories for a monthly magazine called “Yesterday Memories” and finished his book, “When the Germans Invaded Big Cove.” Billy published “Precious Memories of the Preacher,” and is putting the final touch to two new books, “Things I Remember” and Puppy Dogs and Country Girls.”