First to the Top, by Jim Bartlett

8/12/2019

Henson stopped. The blizzard had become a raging swirl of snow and ice, leaving the two men in white-out conditions.

“How much farther?” Peary asked.

“Maybe another hundred yards, but to the left,” answered Henson.

They counted their steps, fighting the freezing wind, until they reached what they felt to be the hundred yards.

“I’m the first man to the North Pole,” shouted Peary.

But as he did, the curtain of snow opened, revealing a white-bearded man in a thick red suit. His eyes twinkled and he wore a smile that warmed them to the bone.

“Second,” he said.

9 Comments

Marjan sierhuis

8/12/2019 02:39:20 pm

Love the surprise ending.

JIm link

8/12/2019 03:41:38 pm

Thanks, Marjan. There is actually a back-story to this, in that Robert Peary and Matthew Henson are considered (by some, controversially) to be the first to the North Pole. I included some "author notes" with the story, but they were actually longer than the story itself, so I'm sure Gordon nixed them. Here are the notes: Author’s note: On April 6, 1909, U.S. Naval engineer Robert Peary laid sole claim to being the first man to reach the North Pole, taking all the credit despite the fact that he was accompanied by an expedition team comprised of Matthew Henson and four Eskimo team members: Ootah, Seeglo, Egingwah, and Ooqueah. There is evidence to suggest that it was Henson who actually reached the pole first (he was pulling Peary’s sled), making Peary second, but Peary left him out of all of his accounts, not wanting to share any of the glory with a black man. Sadly, Peary went on to receive numerous awards and accolades, including a Rear Admiral’s pension, while Henson lived out most of his life in obscurity as a Customs clerk in New York. It wasn’t until 1955, just before his death, he finally received recognition from both President Truman and President Eisenhower.

Marjan sierhuis

8/12/2019 09:42:35 pm

Thank you Jim for sharing this fascinating information with us. Quite an eye opener.

Carol Garrasi

8/12/2019 05:11:34 pm

Ok this is by far my favorite of your Christmas stories. Very very nice. I especially liked your reply to comments. There's a whole other story there (hint hint). Keep them coming. Love reading them.

Jim link

8/12/2019 05:23:58 pm

Thanks so much, Carol. Peary was pretty much a jerk, never speaking with Henson after that journey, despite Henson having accompanied him on six previous expeditions, saving his life on one occasion, and pretty much pulling Peary's sled to the top (Peary had lost 8 toes to frostbite). I think being second (in both this story and in real life - real life being my inspiration) was pretty much poetic justice. ;-) Thanks again.
Jim

Mike McCarthy

8/12/2019 08:43:12 pm

That really is a great story, lovely surprise.
I also thought your notes were fascinating .

Jim link

9/12/2019 02:07:37 am

Thanks so much for your comments, Mike. The idea for the story led me to do a little research on the explorations to the Artic and the North Pole, and this particular journey and its characters sort of stood out.
Jim

Doug B

9/12/2019 04:02:16 am

Thanks for sharing that excellent story. Not sure what I liked more, the ending or the background info. Great job!

JIm link

9/12/2019 05:02:55 am

Thanks Doug. I enjoyed the research on the story almost as much as I enjoyed the writing. But even more so love the comments - so thanks much for that.
Take care
Jim

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