C.J. Wagonor, 84 of Old Harley Rd in Valle Crucis sits with his buddy, Walt Joyner, 85, of Concord around the warmth of the pot belly stove in the Mast General Store sipping upon a couple of bottles of Cheerwine. As C.J. props a leg on the checkerboard table, the store's mascot, John Doe, 13, swaggers by and jumps on a nearby bench.
"The way he got up there and sits it looks as though we are all about the same age," remarks Walt.
And Walt means that in the best of ways. He and C.J. go way back.
The two friends met while working at Cannon Mills in Kannapolis, N.C., 60 some odd years ago.
"We always drink Cheerwine because it was made down close where we live." said C.J.
The friends started working in the sheet department in 1941 hemming sheets and pillow cases sold to places such as J.C. Penny, Lord and Taylor and Macy's .
"We're men of rank and smell and so it seems is John Doe," Walt jokes as the beagle basically ignores them.
It is not long before women shopping in the store take notice of John Doe's scruffy good looks and woo at his presence.
"Maybe if I sat there do you think someone would rub my head and pull my ears?" asked Walt.
C.J. laughed at his friend and said,
"This calls for a toast to the most fortunate man amongst us."
And the two old guys raise their nearly empty Cheerwine bottles.
"Cheers to John Doe."
(Here's to one lucky mutt!)
