Farmhand Spots His Boss Dragging Something At Midnight, But What He Did Next Made Him Dial 911

"I'm fine, kid," Raymond snapped, climbing down heavily into the slush with a scowl. "Struck another damn rock or root. Go back to the barn and fetch me a spade and the heavy crowbar." Eli nodded and jogged off toward the shed. But as he returned ten minutes later carrying the heavy tools, he stopped dead in his tracks. 

Raymond hadn't waited. The old man was already down on his knees, frantically clawing away thick layers of icy mud with his bare hands and an old iron wrench he kept on the tractor. "Got the tools, Raymond," Eli offered, holding out the crowbar. Raymond didn't look up. He yanked his muddy hands back, his eyes wide and strangely spooked as he stared into the shallow pit.

"Just leave 'em on the ground and get back to that fence," Raymond barked, his voice tight with unusual tension. "I'll handle this myself. Leave me alone." Eli blinked in confusion. Raymond usually loved delegating heavy labor. Why was he suddenly so desperate to dig alone?