Tinker Greenwood

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Jimmy was a tinker who roamed around from pillar to post in city and
country alike . He had a horse and cart from which he sold fresh
buttermilk from a urn and sharpened knives and scissors on an old
grindstone on the back of his cart . He often collected old rags and
scrap which he sold to the merchants around Greenwood .

When things took a turn for the worst Tinker sold the horse and cart
.
Then he became a poor beggar man .
Now and then he was able to get some work as a handyman and fixer of
things but for most of the time Tinker Jimmy scraped out an existence
selling shoelaces from door to door . Sometimes he plucked his dinner
out of garbage bins and slept at night in anchored boats around the low
dock in Greenwood . Most of the sailors knew Tinker Jimmy and gave him
no grief but some of the local people hurled abuse at Jimmy . After a
while he grew sick and tired of being a target of abuse and decided to
get himself away from it all .

One very wet and cold December when the snow had turned into sleet and
sludge Jimmy shouted out to the city streets
"I'm fed up with your anger and hatred and so you can keep it ."
Nobody answered back and Jimmy just wandered off towards the
High section of the harbour .
He arrived at harbourmasters office and was about ready to throw
himself into the tide when he caught sight of a huge passenger ship
that approached .
At that very moment Jimmy was inspired .
He waited for a while in the silent shadows of the docks until the ship
was safe and settled . Then he sneaked on board and found a hideaway
spot inside a lifeboat . He pulled back the thick green tarpaulin sheet
that covered the lifeboat and huddled himself up into a ball .
After a few days his hunger grew as did his curiosity .
He knew they where at sea but wasn't sure if it was day or night
.
The tinker lay in a small puddle that lined the base of the lifeboat
and the
cold winter chill made him shiver for most of the time .
After a while his fingers and feet burned with chill and then they went
numb .
He thought about making an escape on deck for some food and waited
until it was quite . Then as he peered from the covers he saw it was
twilight and breathed in the fresh air . Leaving behind the lifeboat he
wandered down the deck until the smell of food cooking wafted up his
nose .
Jimmy the tinker decided to grab a bite to eat and calm as you like he
walked into the kitchen and took an empty plate and put it on a tray
the tray .
He walked over to the cook who was busy at the stove and said ,

"I've been on board for three days and could use a feed ."
The tinker held out his plate before the cook who placed some potatoes
and gravy and a few slices of roast meat . Then he looked into Jimmy's
eyes and smiled ,
"You must be one of the new hands . I haven't seen you before. "
"I'm new all right ."
"I'm sure you'll be wanting to get that food into you so go on
then."
"Thanks ." Jimmy said .
"Hey new hand . What do you call yourself ?
"Tinker Greenwood is my name and what about yourself ."
"I'm the captain Tinker but you can call me Jack . Off you go and eat
."
Tinker returned to his lifeboat and polished off all his plate in
seconds .
The next day the ships engines roared and Tinker heard the shouts of
some of the crew . He realised the ship was slowly docking and soon
came the
sounds of the city . Big wheels turning and cranes and trucks churning
and grinding .

Tinker Jimmy waited until the right moment before making his flight to
freedom . The ships passengers had already disembarked and now some of
the cargo was being unloaded . Tinker slipped away unnoticed as most of
the crew were too busy working heaving and hauling to see him skip off
.
Within minutes he had found the streets of this strange port .
Still a little weak on his feet Tinker stumbled and fell head first on
the main street of the village .
Slowly getting to his feet he continued to walk along the footpath when
suddenly a young man ran at a fast pace from the other end of the
street .
Tinker tried to get out of the way but again stumbled and fell .
Unable to avoid Tinker the young man tripped over him and also fell
.
And banged his head on the concrete street . Tinker stood up and looked
on with horror as the blood poured from the young mans head .
"Hey you " an angry voice screamed .
"Me sir " said Tinker to the man who approached .
"Yes you ."
"It wasn't my fault ." Tinker tried to say but the man seemed oblivious
to the comment and even a little elated as he grabbed Tinkers hand and
started to vigorously shake it .
"Did you bring this man to the ground ?"
"Why yes sir I did " Replied Tinker .
"Tell me my friend what is your name ."
"Tinker Greenwood sir ." said Tinker a little perplexed .
"Tinker may God bless you and here I will also bless you. "
The well dressed man went through the pockets of the unconscious man
and found a large envelope . Opening it he produced a large wad of bank
notes .
"Take this my friend "
Handing over a large sum of money to Tinker the gentleman said ,
"As I left my business just a short time ago I was robbed by this
scoundrel .
The money he took from me was to pay for the shipment of jewels that
came on the ship in the harbour . I can never thank you enough ."
Tinker stood there amazed and stunned as the man hugged him and filled
his pockets with gold coins . Finally the well dressed man took the
small black bag from the thiefs hand and opening it he poured a cluster
of diamonds and counted out a large number of these before returning
them into the black bag .
He turned to leave and as he did gave the thief a kick in the backside
.
He smiled at Tinker and said ,
" I'm on my way so take care good sir and may happiness be yours
always. "
Tinker stood there in silence with tears of joy flowing down his face
.
He thought deeply for a few moments and then walked slowly towards the
ship on the dock .
He asked to see the captain .
Before long the Captain came and as he did Tinker handed over some cash
and asked the Captain if he could pay for his journey back to Greenwood
and for his kindness Tinker offered Captain Jack a dinner out with him
in town that evening . That evening was special because not only did
Tinker and Jack have some great food and drink but the restaurant was
owned by the well
dressed man who had rewarded Tinker before .
Tinker had nothing to pay for the entire evening .

The journey back to Greenwood was smooth .
On return to the familiar streets of Greenwood Tinker went into the
bank .
Standing in the queue Tinker felt eyes upon him and heard the smans
and jeers . When it was Tinkers turn the bank teller looked and said
,

"Sorry but we don't need any of your shoelaces today Jimmy "
"Some people started to laugh but that stopped when Tinker
produced
his new found wealth and asked to open an account with the bank .
Everything now changed .
The teller swallowed the pride in his throat and Tinker watched people
spilling out the front door into the street .
Those that remained in the bank watched as Tinker took bundles of notes
from his pockets .
"Would you like a credit facility sir with the account . We have many
plans for our valued customers here and hope to help you in every way
possible ."
After a moments silence Tinker said ,
"Don't you worry about any of that . I have a plan of my own ".
"What is the name you would like your account made to "
"Mr Greenwood and when ever I need any of your services you'll be the
first to know . My accountant will be in touch with you very shortly .
"
When Tinker left the bank that day he had a smile that stretched right
across his entire face .
With his new found fortune Tinker purchased a rope making factory that
boomed into one of the biggest businesses Greenwood had ever produced
From that Tinker invested very wisely and in a short period of time was
one of the wealthiest men in the country .
After Tinker became Lord Mayor of Greenwood he married a millionairess
and life was good . Everyone spoke highly of the Greenwoods who were
the owners of the majority of businesses in the country .

The End