When I was about 7 or 8 and my brother was about 11-12, we went to see our Grandpa and
Gramma Price in Maple City. Dad warned us on the long drive there that we had better
behave because Grandpa loved to take naughty kids to the wood shed for a spanking.
That afternoon grandpa warned us to leave Grammas organ alone cause she had it
"tuned jest right".
Our parents and grandparents went outside to walk around the yard and being kids we
just HAD to peek at that organ. It was awsome! It stood Majestly at the east wall of the
parlor. It was made of a sturdy deep walnut wood with intricate carvings running along the
top and above the keys. The round stool turned up and down for a dizzy ride around and
around in a circle.
We agreed that we did not remember ever hearing gramma play. I insisted it probably
didn’t work or that they were so old that they could not move it out so it was just
left there. And Grandpa being blind would surely fall if anything in the house was
changed.
Hardie sighed and peeked out the heavy drapes covering the front windows that faced
Maple Street. He saw that the folks were standing in the front yard some distance from us
chatting. He tiptoed over to the organ and pumped the big petal underneath. Then he ran
his fingers quickly across the keys. Then He ran them again slowly listening to the sounds
with a satisfied look on this face.
I gasped and threw my hands over my mouth! I ran and peeked out the corner of the
window behind the drapes. Thank God! They hadn’t heard.
He ran through a few more keys trying to sort out a tune that was recognizable. Then he
swung the stool all the way to the top and back down again. We heard the hinges on the
back door screech and ran to sit down. Hardie choose a rocker in the far corner and I
curled up in a big old armchair in front of the big windows behind a stand of overflowing
ivy.
Grandpa came in and walked right up to Hardie and stood there. Finally he said,"
Boy, you been playing around with that organ?"
My brother just shook his head yes.
"Boy," said grandpa. " I can’t see ya but I can hear the guilt. I
reckon we better take a stroll to the woodshed."
The wood shed! Oh No! Was he in for it now! I cringed and curled up into a tighter ball
in the big old chair and waited my turn.
Within a few minutes I could hear the sound of the razor strap snapping and Hardie cry
out. I vowed right then and there I always, always would be good at Grandpa house!
Time moved slowly. It seemed like hours. Finally, The shed door opened and out came
Grandpa and brother. They were laughing! I could hardly believe my eyes! Before anyone
could say a thing, Grandma called out that supper was ready. Grandpas smiled and said,
come on now. We best not keep Minnie waitin."
Grandpa stood by his usual place at the head of the table and said grace. Before
sitting down he cleared his throat and announced that "The Boy" had something to
say.
My brother stood up and repeated a bible verse flawlessly." Honor your father and
mother " "this is the first commandment ", he said.
I couldn’t believe it! He didn’t get a whipping. Grandpa being a preacher had
made him learn a verse. Had I ever been fooled!
That night Gramma played the organ and we all sang together. Grandpa had his arm around
Hardie and was smiling.