Another Miller's Garage Story

In addition to fixin cars and cussing, the folks at Miller's Garage were known to take a drink now and then. At that time, Coosa County was dry, so all of the alcohol had to come for either a bootlegger or a moonshiner. For those unfamiliar with the difference, bootleggers sold bonded liquor, beer and wine brought in from wet counties. Moonshiners sold homemade stuff. The folks at Miller's Garage would drink either, but preferred the moonshine, provided it came from a trusted supplier, i.e. no dead possums or car batteries in the mash. Even with trusted suppliers, the quality of the homemade whiskey varied significantly. In particular, there was one kind that they called "wolf" or "steam run wolf". I never new exactly what that meant, but there was some reference to first batch or first run made from hog shorts that was offered up in explanation as to what constituted wolf whiskey. I do remember that when someone was drinking wolf, they smelled especially bad. Being underage, I never did drink any of it, but from what I was told, it tasted worse than it smelled. This brings me to the story in question. One of the mechanics had gotten hold of some wolf. It was so bad that my dad would not let him keep it inside the shop so he put it out in the little shed where we kept the steam cleaner. At that time, there was a black man named Boyt Corbin that lived near the shop. I don't know if Boyt did not have a car or did not have a drivers license or just enjoyed walking but nearly every day, he would walk by the shop on his way to the nearest country grocery store. After a while, he would walk back by on his way home. On this particular day as Boyt walked past, the mechanic with the wolf whiskey hollered at him, Boyt, come here I've got something for you. He and Boyt walked around the edge of the shop and after awhile the mechanic came back in bent over in laughter. He had taken Boyt out to the steam cleaner shed and given him a drink of the wolf whiskey. Then he asked Boyt how was it? Boyt said it was just right. Just right? That is the worse stuff I have ever drank. Yessir responded Boyt. It is just right. If it was any better, you wouldn't give me any of it, and if it was any worser, I couldn't stand it.