Isadore Lemaster - Both Audio and Text

Isadore LeMaster was a kind and friendly person, who never spoke in haste or told a lie. The finest vet that Oxford ever had - the guy was special - and if you’ve got the time…I’ll tell you why. Oxford was the county seat and claimed, among its residents, the richest and the shrewdest men around. Agriculture was the most predominant commodity, but rarely did a farmer own his ground. “The board” - down at the bank - owned every farm for miles around, except for one. That farmer owned his land. And all the locals knew the score - how those who “held a seat” - conspired to make him fail to make a stand. Orville Yoder, Sr. bought that place in ‘29, when times were hard and debts were tough to pay, But always found a way to keep abreast of what he owed, while raising seven kids along the way. When Orville missed the first and only payment on his farm, the bank sent out a man to repossess. But in that morning’s mail appeared the cash to make the payment…an unsigned note - with no return address! The Mercantile, bank owned, of course, at times denied him credit when Orville came to buy supplies and seed, And never figured out how he would get his planting done - and somehow always got the things he’d need. Things like - wire, and bailing twine…insect spray, and lime…and all the seed he’d need to plant his fields. They never knew that Isadore was -- shaving bills -- for those who’d help him try to heighten Orville’s yields! Always done discreetly, they would buy a little extra of everything they’d need to plant their crop… Then quietly sneak their surplus items into Orville’s barn - and slip the wire and twine into his shop. It was quite the secret - ‘mongst a couple dozen farmers - who gladly played their parts in leaner years. The extra things were paid for through the doctor’s special discounts, and Orville never knew how much his peers - Along with Doc LeMaster - did - to help him make it through. He never knew whom he would need to thank For helping him to keep his farm, when all the while “the board” was working hard to break him…at the bank. And then there was the time when Orville had to call him out to help him with a foal he daresn’t pull. Isadore convinced him that he’d overpaid him last time, so therefore…that job’s fee was paid in full! Orville didn’t argue, but he made him take a pie…perplexed, but thrilled to learn the bill was paid. Isadore just smiled and said, “I’d gladly pull a foal for any pie or cake Claretta made!” And when his daughter’s coat sleeve got entangled in an auger, his monumental bills, to save her arm, Had “the board” suspecting that he’d find no way to pay them, and would, at last, be forced to sell his farm. But when the bills were totaled - to the family’s great surprise - the proceeds from an “Orville Yoder Fund” Easily paid the debt in full…another bullet dodged…while members of “the board,” of course, were stunned! Who it was that set the fund up Orville never knew…and benefactors’ names were kept discreet, But all who gave were well aware of whose idea it was, and knew that - on “the board”....he held a seat! Turns out Doc LeMaster used his prominent position to help the Yoders keep the upper hand, And stay one step ahead of those who fought to take his farm…the ruthless ones who wanted Orville’s land. A member of “the board” for nearly thirty-seven years, Doc never showed his hand by his dissent When - ‘how to get the Yoder farm’ - would top the bank’s agenda….he knew the way the voting always went. Careful not to argue with their greedy, cold proposals…the others actually thought he shared their views! But feigning to agree with them was how he’d always managed to hold his seat - yet….do the way he’d choose. Orville’s eldest son paid off - and farms - the place today, and sneaky little favors aren’t required. I’m pretty sure he knows of what the neighbors did to help, and how the doctor’s chain of tricks transpired. It’s hard to tell if any of the others on “the board” are privy to the help that Orville got, But - almost every Sunday - Orville, Jr…and his sister...stop to visit Doc LeMaster’s plot And lay a spray of flowers just beneath his meager stone - the best, upon his death, he could afford, Because of all the sacrifices made to help a friend…and what he’d done to help him....beat “the board.” PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you that travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) Cheers, Mark