Tinker Greenwood

Tinker Greenwood
By Paul Mc Cann

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 sniggers and jeers . When it was Tinkers turn the bank teller looked and said ,

“We don’t want any 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