Devo Mannix the Sorcerer's Apprentice: Cars and Cats

By Roland Boike

The excitement and mystical spells begins when Devo Mannixs grandfather, a world-renowned sorcerer and magician, inherited property from a deceased lifelong friend. The house and property is filled with secondhand goods and useless litter. Devo has always thought of the property as being a Pickers paradise.

Devos grandfather plans to clear the property and everything on it will be sold or carted off to the junkyard. Before everything is removed, Grandfather Mannix makes a promise to his grandson that he could have any item of his choice.

Hidden in the barn, Devo uncovers a red, 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 antique automobile and selects it as the gift from his grandfather. Devo stores his car in the family barn and later accidentally discovers that the car has magical powers.

Devo is studying to become a sorcerer and his lack of experience in the field of magic and incantations complicates the outcome of all of his good intentions.

When his friend, Julie, and his dog, Speeler, asked Devo to help with problems confronting them, Devos magical inexperience causes unexpected results.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503546998

Roland Boike

Roland Vincent Boike was born October 28, 1930 at his family home in Madeira, Ohio. He is the son of Dr. Stephen Boike and Ludvica Rensi Boike and is one of seven children. During the Korean War, Roland served in 134th and the 147th Field Artillery as Chief of Section of a 105 Howitzers Battalion. Roland attended Western Kentucky State University, Ohio State Department of Agriculture, and the University Of Cincinnati Department Of Applied Arts. He was awarded a full scholarship to attend Lincoln College of Chiropractic where he graduated in 1962 with a Degree in Chiropractic. Roland practiced Chiropractic in Loveland, Ohio for thirty- five years and was a Staff Physician at Jewish Hospital in Kenwood, Ohio. He served as Team Physician for Loveland High School, Western Brown High School and Wilmington College Girls Soccer Team. Roland served as Mayor and Vice Mayor in Loveland, Ohio, a community of over 10,500 residents. Roland was a founder and Director of The Community National Bank, Loveland, Ohio and Chairman of the Loveland 1976 Centennial Celebration, which produced a live outdoor spectacular, The History of Loveland. Roland was a founder, past president and member of the Board of Trustees of The Loveland Chamber of Commerce. He designed the Valentine postage meter stamp and the Logo There Is Nothing In The World So Sweet As Love. He was recognized with an award from The National Safety Council for saving the lives of three children in a submerged automobile at Lake Isabella in May, 1964. Roland was honored by the City of Loveland, Ohio for dedicated service to the community with a commemorative marker In the Veterans Memorial Park. Roland is a Kentucky Colonel and has received numerous awards for civic achievements.

Book preview

Chapter 1

GRANDFATHER’S INHERITANCE

It was several months after Walter Weston passed on, that his will was to be read. Devo’s Grandfather Mannix was notified that he had been mentioned in the last will and testament of his old friend Walter Weston.

Devo’s grandfather, Sargo Mannix, is a renowned sorcerer and for almost two years now Sargo’s Grandson, Devo, have been working with his grandfather to learn how to perform magic and become a sorcerer.

During a severe electrical storm last year Devo placed a spell on his dog, Speeler, so he could talk and understand human beings.

The incantation turned out to be a catastrophic decision, and since Devo could not undo the spell, he simply made it so no one could understand Speeler’s barking except himself. To everyone else in the world, Speeler’s speech only sounded like a dog barking.

In spite of some of his shortcomings as a sorcerer’s apprentice, Devo is still pleased that he can talk to his dog and that Speeler can talk to him and understand what is being said.

It was Friday morning about 8:30 a.m. when Grandfather Mannix opened his bedroom door and came to the kitchen table to sit down.

Why are you so dressed up today, Grandfather? Devo asked.

I am going to the law offices of Michael Henderson for the reading of the will of my old friend, Walter Weston, Devo’s grandfather said.

Wow! That’s exciting Grandfather, what did Mr. Weston leave you? Devo asked.

I do not know, Devo. That’s why I’m going to Mr. Henderson’s office so I can find out.

Do you think he left you a lot of money, Grandfather? Devo asked.

Grandfather laughed and said, I doubt that very much Devo. I know that Walter never held a job in his life or ever ran a business. He spent his life rooting through people’s trash cans and salvaging things from the dump. He just collected stuff. Occasionally, Walter sold some of it. I hope he didn’t leave me all of his junk because it would take two 30 ton trucks to haul all of it back to the dump.

Can I look through it first before it goes to the dump, Grandfather? There might be something amongst his junk that I would like to keep, Devo said.

Tell you what Devo. I will give you first pick of anything that I inherit from Mr. Weston.

I take it Grandfather, you really believe what you inherit will be of little or no value, Devo said.

It’s the thought that counts, Devo. I am just happy my friend thought enough of me to mention my name. That alone is reward enough, grandfather said.

I have spent many a day with Andrew, sitting in his junk yard. I have seen his rusty bicycles, rusty toys; dented and broken household utensils and a lot of other articles that my friend, Andrew, thought were of great value. Andrew and I started our friendship in the first grade at Kendall Grade School and we have been great friends ever since. Andrew never married, had no children, and to my knowledge, he has no other living relatives. I will give you a full report the minute I get home, Devo, Grandfather said.

Speeler and I will be waiting anxiously to hear from you, Grandfather.

Grandfather Mannix got in his car and drove down the lane headed for his appointment with Mr. Henderson.

Good morning, Speeler. Are you awake? Devo asked his dog.

Yes, I am, and I’ve already had my morning exercise. I chased Squirrel a good half-hour before he got too tired to play anymore, Speeler barked.

What would you like to do today, Speeler? Devo asked.

I know I don’t want to chase anything. What do you have in mind? Speeler barked.

Why don’t we go past Mr. Hanna’s butcher shop, get you a bone and then head for Walter Weston’s junkyard and maybe we can see what kind of stuff he has, Devo said.

Sounds like a plan, Speeler barked.

Good morning, Mr. Hanna, Devo said, as he opened the door of the butcher shop and walked in with Speeler.

Good morning, Mr. Hanna, I hope you have a big bone for me, Speeler barked.

Good morning, Devo and Speeler. What are you two up to today?

Speeler and I are going over to Mr. Weston’s home to take a look at some of his junk.

Did you know Mr. Weston, Devo? Mr. Hanna asked.

Not really, but he was a good friend of my grandfather.

He was a nice enough man and I got along with him just fine but some of his neighbors tell me that he used to go to his barn and sit in an old car all day long and not move a muscle. I always thought that was a little strange but he seemed normal just like everybody else when he came into my butcher shop.

Did you forget my bone, Speeler barked.

Oh my goodness, Speeler I got so interested in talking about Mr. Weston I forgot all about your little doggie treat, Mr. Hanna said.

Mr. Hanna walked over to his walk-in refrigerator, pulled a nice bone from the barrel of scrap meat and handed it to Speeler who sat patiently wagging his tail at the end of the counter.

Thank you, thank you, Speeler barked as he gently grabbed the bone from Mr. Hanna’s outstretched hand. Speeler walked toward the door to leave the butcher shop wagging his tail.

Nice talking to you this morning, Mr. Hanna. I know that Speeler would thank you for that delicious bone that he has in his mouth but I know he will not set it down to express his appreciation for the gift, Devo said.

Devo and Speeler headed up Elm Street until they reached Mr. Weston’s home. They walked up the driveway towards the house, thoroughly examining as much of the litter as they could see without leaving the drive. When Devo reached the front porch steps, he could see that there was only a narrow path open to reach the front door. The porch was cluttered with wooden pickle barrels, 50-gallon drums, light fixtures, several broken chairs and a kitchen table loaded with bottles and dishes.

Do you see anything we might like to have, Speeler? Devo asked.

I didn’t see a single bone, a squirrel or a rubber ball, Speeler barked.

Let’s go home and see if Grandfather has returned. Then we can learn if he inherited all of this stuff.

As Devo walked up Shady Lane toward his house, Julie Meyer ran out of her house to greet Speeler. When Speeler saw Julie, he laid his dog bone down on the pavement, wagged his tail and licked her hand as she patted his head.

And how are you today, Speeler? Julie asked.

I’m just fine, Julie. Would you mind scratching behind my ears? I just love it when you do that, Speeler barked.

Would you like to play with me today, Devo? We could have a lot of fun today doing something together. We could go down to the pond, catch frogs, climb some trees in the woods and play Pirates. I know you like to do that, Julie said. I know you would enjoy it more if I was there to play with you. You could be the villain.

Devo shook his head, made a face and said, I can’t, Julie. I am going home and wait for my grandfather to see what he inherited from Mr. Weston.

I could come and wait with you, Devo. I don’t have a thing to do today and I know I would enjoy just sitting with you and talking while we wait for your grandfather, Julie said.

You can tag along if you want Julie, but don’t expect me to entertain you; you’re on your own, Devo said.

Chapter 2

A PICKER’S PARADISE

Devo, Julie and Speeler walked up the lane to Devo’s home and sat on the front porch waiting for Grandfather Mannix to return.

Why are you always unfriendly toward me? Julie asked. I like you very much and I would like to be your friend.

I just don’t like girls, Devo mumbled.

Boy! I love girls, Speeler barked. Julie always scratches behind my ears,

Can we play animal, vegetable, mineral until your grandfather gets here? Julie asked.

That should be fun Julie, I like guessing games, Devo said.

Several times during the course of the game Speeler knew the answer before Julie or Devo and he would start barking.

I know, I know, I know, it’s a kumquat, Speeler barked excitingly.

What’s Speeler barking at? Julie asked.

Don’t pay any attention to him Julie, he thinks he knows the answer, Devo said.

When Devo’s grandfather pulled into the driveway, Devo got up and ran towards the car.

Come on Julie, let’s see what Grandfather inherited.

Grandfather, did you find out what Mr. Weston left you in his will? Devo asked.

Yes, Devo. Mr. Weston left me his property, his home and everything that’s on it.

I might keep the house and the lot. I’m not sure of what I will do with all the things that Walter has collected over the last 70 or so years, Grandfather said.

Can Julie and I go down to your new house, Grandfather? I would like to see if there’s anything that I would like to have before you start cleaning up the place, Devo said.

Grandfather handed Devo the keys to the house and barn and told him that Julie and he could go down, open the house and barn to see if there was anything he or Julie would want to keep.

I will be down after I change clothes and take a look at what my old friend left me, Grandfather said, as he entered the house.

Come on, Speeler. Let’s go see what we can find. You might even find something you want. Devo said.

Am I invited? Julie asked.

Yeah, I guess you can tag along.

Devo opened the locked door and Speeler, Devo and Julie entered the house by way of the front door.

There was just a small aisle to walk through and Julie, Speeler and Devo went through all the rooms carefully checking out everything that they could see. All the rooms were piled high with every piece of junk imaginable, Devo thought.

They were unable to inspect the whole downstairs because all the rooms were stacked floor to ceiling with Mr. Weston’s treasures. They went upstairs and three bedrooms were pretty much the same. The only rooms that was free of clutter was the bathroom and Mr. Weston’s bedroom; they were spotless; there were two clean white towels and one washcloth hanging on the towel bar, Mr. Weston’s bed was made and all of his clothing was picked up.

Just about the time that Julie, Speeler and Devo finished their tour of the house, Grandfather Mannix entered the front door.

Did you find anything you can’t live without? Grandfather Mannix asked.

Speeler barked, No.

I saw a real nice guitar, Grandfather but I don’t think that’s what I want, Devo said.

Julie shook her head no and said, I didn’t see anything I’d really like to have Grandfather Mannix.

We are going to check out the barn Grandfather, Devo said.

Try to be very careful. I have a feeling some of this stuff may fall to the floor if you attempted touch it, Grandfather Mannix said.

They had just reached the barn door when Speeler started barking, I found what I want, I found what I want.

What have you found Speeler? Devo asked.

Speeler was holding a doggie bowl firmly in his teeth when he walked over to Devo. He looked up at Devo and let him take the bowl from his mouth.

Well look at this Julie, a doggie bowl that has, ‘Super Dog’ printed on it.

Devo patted Speeler on the head and said, Great choice Speeler. I know Grandfather will let you have it and we can use it at your dog house for your fresh water.

Could you fill it for me now? I would really like a drink, Speeler barked.

I’ll fill it with water and put it on the front porch for you. Then you can sit in the shade, drink your water and relax.

When Devo returned to the barn, he saw that Julie had pulled a yellow boy’s bicycle out from under a tarp that was used to cover seven or eight other bicycles.

What did you find, Julie? Devo asked.

I found this beautiful yellow, Elgin bicycle. It looks like it has never been used, Julie said.

What do you plan to do with that, Julie? Devo asked.

I plan to clean it up, wax it and use it to peddle to your house every day to play with you, instead of walking to your house.

If you are planning to come to my house every day to play with me, I shall ask my grandfather not to let you have it, Devo said, smiling at Julie.

Don’t be such a grouch, Devo. You know we always have a lot of fun together, Julie said.

Devo saw an old spinning wheel, an old sewing machine and a lot of antique furniture. When he finally got to the back of the barn he could see that there were two automobiles covered with a tarp and raised up on concrete blocks.

Hey, Julie, come here and help me take these tarps off of these two cars, Devo said.

"So that’s the way it’s going