Collecting the Freight

 Floyd became a livestock dealer in southern Oregon when the depression was at its mean est, when cattle were ten to thirty dollars per head—if you could even find anyone who had ten dollars left. He soon made a reputation as an "honest cow trader," something about as rare as a friendly rattlesnake. He also had an exceptional gift for evaluating quality and future production in dairy cattle, so it was not long before he was doing quite a business with the "Portagees" in northern and central California. Delivering these cattle in old Reo's and Diamond T's was a grueling trip and you earned every nickle you made. Shortly after he had delivered a load to a buyer at Dairyville, just south of Red Bluff, California, he stopped to eat and rest before starting the long trip north. As he emerged from the cafe he was greeted by a nicely dressed gentleman who introduced himself with: "Hello, I'm John Weaver. They told me at the yards that you are heading for Grants Pass. My wife and I just bought a place there and would like to hire you to move us up." After considering the world of sanitizing a cattle truck and buying tarps, they arrived at $180. "That's fair enough," said John. Three days later they arrived at the Weaver's new farm. Floyd with the load of goods, the Weaver's with a loaded car or two. When everything was unloaded, Floyd said, "Well I think we got it all here undamaged, so if you'll give me a check, I'll go see my family." To Floyd's total disbelief, John said, "I'm not going to pay you. You don't have PUCs to haul furniture so you can't collect. He was promptly invited outside to settle the account but declined saying, "I have a heart problem. If you hit me, I'll sue you!"For all of Floyd's good qualities, the words " forgive and forget" were not real high on his list. I you stung him, look out! Many years passed, and in 1943 Floyd purchased the Emil Harbeck meat packing firm at Grants Pass, Oregon with the partner Paul Shelton, naming it S&L Meat Company. A few months later they got a call from Mr. John Weaver. He had a nice big load of lambs for sale. Would someone like to come look at them? Most of the time Gordon Elmore would be sent out with a blank check and a price based on weight and condition, but he was gone, so Floyd went out. As he entered the long fenced farm lane, there were numerous big, fat lambs scurrying about and trying to find the hole in the fence leading them back to ma! With Mrs. Weaver's help and much chasing up and down the lane, they got them all back in, and she excused herself with: "John is coming up the road now." And with that she disappeared into the house. John stepped out of his pickup, said "I guess you want to see the lambs," and led the way, no hint of recognition on his face. Floyd recognized him instantly. Now it was a scorching hot afternoon and the wayward lambs were still panting and gasping for air. One look and Floyd said, "Look at these lambs! Have you had any of them die?  "No," said Mr. Weaver. "I can't imagine what is wrong with them all of a sudden." "Well," said Floyd. "I'll have to discount your lambs. I don't want those slobbering things at all." "Will you just take them, and get ride of them for me?" asked John.  Floyd finally agreed, quoted him a price, and the deal was done. The lambs were loaded, and John received his check. Obviously disappointed he stared at his check as Floyd climbed into the loaded truck. Then he noticed the signature. "Floyd Lewis....Floyd Lew is...That name is familiar." Floyd replied, "It should be John. You beat me out of a freight bill thirteen years ago. You have just paid that bill with thirteen years compounded interest!" With that he hit the starter and drove away.