Houseboat Charlie

Warrior of the Woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the Guardian of the Forest, Ranger Bill, pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions.

Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. I'm sure we all thrilled at the stories of the Old West, the days when men very seldom lived to a ripe old age because of Indians, hardship, and outlaws.

Our story today involves a real old Western character who can recall even farther back than Stumpy, when times were rough and the Indians roamed about and Father said his prayers with his shotgun cock. Some folks call him the good old days, yet I doubt if there is one of us that would like

to live back there after knowing the labor-saving devices we have today. But we'd better get on with the story. And here it is. Houseboat Charlie. Houseboat Charlie is really an old-timer. He got the name Houseboat from the fact that he's been the ferryboatman across misery crossing ever since he was knee-high to a totes tool.

Not only does Charlie run the ferry across the powerful and treacherous Shady River, but he lives on the ferry itself. Ralph, Stumpy, Gray Wolf and I were just coming to misery crossing on horseback after being out on the North Trail for almost four weeks.

Charlie's great grandson, Junior, was there with the old gentleman as you. Hey, Gramps, here come the Rangers. Well, I'll be bigger than the same ride, Junior. Let's build this friend. Looks like they're pretty beat, Gramps.