Teddy

Daddy didn't have much money
When he was starting out.
He raised young stock, he sold it.
That's what ranchin's all about.

He was also raising sons it seems,
They'd had four in a row.
To keep stock and family prosperin'
Sure kept him on the go.

So when the calvary announced
They needed mounts to ride,
My daddy had young horses
He could offer them with pride.

The army came, selected some
And hauled the bunch away.
My dad was pretty happy
For the money made that day.

But when he counted heads again
He felt a bit of shame.
One of the horses "Teddy"
He'd let a young son claim.

Since son Charley was only five,
Not old enough to ride,
Dad didn't know the wrong he'd done
Until the small boy cried.

My mama scolded, Charlie sobbed,
And both were mad at Dad.
He wished he'd thought before he sold
And made them feel so bad.

There was no bribe they offered him
The little boy would take.
They'd hear him crying in the night
As if his heart would break.

Now Daddy was a prayin' man
And not ashamed to pray
That God would help him make it up
To his small son some way.

My daddy was at his wit's end
When he received a call
Saying one horse would be returned.
He was a mite too small.

My daddy kept right on prayin'
On that long ride to town,
So hoping that it was Teddy
The army had turned down.

I can almost see the grin he shared
With that small dappled gray.
Teddy was coming home again
And he'd be home to stay.

This happened some before my time
So I can only guess
At the excitement in our home
And Charley's happiness.

Charley never owned another horse,
His life was so entwined
With Teddy's until he grew up
And left his horse behind.

Daddy vowed he'd care for Teddy
Until the day he died.
In a lifetime he could not forget
How his loved son had cried.

Joyce 9/20/04