The Legend of Old Tom Old Tom was a work horse, golden with flaxen mane, An unsurpassed workhorse all knew his name. With a child on his back no horse was as tame, But I'll get to the story that gave him his fame. Tom pulled snow plows to open the roads, And drag to the shed ice blocks in big loads. Spring time arrived and he'd plow all the fields, In summer pull combines reaping what they'd yield. He'd drag logs from the hills to build cabins and fences, He'd pull the buggies to church and barn dances. One day asked to give almost more then was able, It is the whole truth though it sounds like a fable. A grain car caught fire on a track near town, It could reach buildings and burn the town down. No engine was near to pull it away, Someone said, "Get Old Tom, he can save us today." Could any horse pull three boxcars full? They all held their breath as Tom started to pull. Those that were Christian said, "We'd better pray, If Tom can pull it, we'll see a miracle today." Tom pulled and pulled and gave his all that day, He moved those boxcars and the town would stay. Well, a legend was born on that dreadful day, But for that great deed, Old Tom would have to pay. The fire had burned him and caused him to founder, The end was near for that horse of fame and wonder. Old Tom was not forgotten by the people of the town, If it wasn't for him it would all have burned down. By Rosemarie J Kramm 1999