The Rural Voice, 1980-11, Page 21FARM SUPPLY]
VOICE OF A FARMER
Country
h ospitallty
BY ADRIAN VOS
If a peron is in trouble it seems to bring out the best in
bystanders. This was demonstrated to me at the tail -end of last
winter. Skidding on some slush, my car just floated off the road
into a bridge abutment, virtually taking the wheels off my car.
She was sitting there like a lame duck, immovable, and a
menace to other cars trying to apply their brakes on the slushy
highway.
The first car to come by stopped to ask if I needed assistance,
and I was glad to accept a ride to the nearest farm to telephone
for police and a tow truck. In the car were two young women and
a child, who most likely never would have stopped to pick up a
'hitch -hiker.
At the farm, I was immediately granted the use of their phone
for a long distance call for a towing vehicle and police. To top it
off they offered a cup of coffee and a ride back to the scene of the
accident.
While I was away summoning help, the driver of a pick-up
from a feed company had stopped some distance up the road to
warn other drivers of the road hazard ahead of them, braving the
chill wind. I hadn't been aware this good Samaritan was at work
until he pulled out just after a truck with 4 -wheel drive had
stopped. Both good neighbors pulled my car out of danger onto
the shoulder of the road.
To my everlasting shame, I didn't ask the name of the men
who were so helpful, the driver of the pulling vehicle refusing
payment. Thanks again fellows, as you see, I haven't forgotten.
This event came to mind recently when I was driving in
Toronto. I had to cross several lanes to get off the 401 and had
my signal light going while easing over into the next lane. One
impatient driver still moved quickly beside me while I was
switching, forcing me to make a fast reversal and avoiding a
collison by only inches. The fellow shook his fist at me and then
motioned me to the shoulder presumably for a conference on
driving habits, an invitation I declined.
Not satisfied, he tried to cut me off but at last I got into my
lane and into the street I wanted. He still followed me right into
the parking lot, where he offered a punch in the nose, which I
also declined.
I'm not about to say that all rural folks are friendly and helpful
and all city people are boors, for I know better, but incidents like
that aren't conducive to promoting a better understanding of
each other.
What struck me when thinking back over both incidents was
the fact that the real accident didn't make me one bit nervous,
while the near accident left me shaking for minutes after.
It wasn't a city dweller that hauled me into court for the first
time in my life. It was a former supplier of farm needs and I had
refused to pay part of his bill. He disagreed with my contention
that he was responsible for damage through his faulty supply.
After first trying to collect through a collection agency, he
demanded justice through small claims court. The jud a agreed
with my contention and therefore the justice the supplier got was
not what he had expected.
We've all heard the expression that possession is nine -tenths
of the law, and this was proven to me, for if I had paid him in the
first place and then tried to recover through the same court, 1
might have won my case just the same. But the amount wouldn't
have been worth my while.
HOWSON MILLS
We offer many
alternatives for you
• Complete well balanced rations to meet the
requirements needed for your animals.
• PURINA FEEDS
• HOWSON FEEDS
• Custom Rations using your grains plus
concentrates
or
• Custom rations made to suit your require-
ments for your animals.
Come In and See us
WE CAN HELP!
Something extra
on the
Purino Program
Howson & Howson Limited
BLYTH, WINGHAM, CARGILL
ONTARIO
THE RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1980 PG. 19