"Blackberry Winter" takes us back to a pivotal day in the life of Seth, who reflects on his childhood experiences. Narrating from a perspective more than three decades later, Seth recounts a day marked by unusual weather and a mysterious encounter in middle Tennessee. The title captures the essence of this unexpected cold snap in June, setting the stage for a story about curiosity and danger.

The Chilling Arrival

On this rare, frosty day, Seth's mother insists he keep his shoes on, a command he chooses to defy. Eager to feel the cold earth beneath his feet, Seth is drawn to the "wet shivery grass" and the mud that promises to capture the impression of his foot perfectly. Yet, as he prepares to step outside, he spots an unfamiliar man approaching from the woods. Peering through the window, Seth observes the stranger's slow progress along the path bordering the family farm. The man's appearance—his mismatched clothing, worn khaki pants, dark overcoat, and ill-fitting city shoes—signals both unfamiliarity and potential threat. Despite this, Seth is mesmerized, sensing the man's intention to seek shelter or sustenance.

Uneasy Observations

Seth watches as the stranger, in a distasteful manner, handles dead chicks—tossing them into a basket with a "nasty, snapping motion." Witnessing the man wash his rough but unmarked hands before eating, Seth feels an inexplicable discomfort. This unease prompts him to leave, diverting his attention to the commotion at the creek, where the water has breached the bridge.

The Flood's Spectacle

Arriving at the creek, Seth spots his father astride a mare, towering over a group captivated by the floodwaters. His father lifts him onto the saddle, granting him a better view of the powerful current carrying debris, including a dead cow. As the men speculate about the cow's owner and whether desperation could drive one to eat it, Seth absorbs the conversation, puzzled by its gravity.

A Visit to the Sharecropper's Cabin

After parting ways with his father, Seth makes his way to his friend Jebb's home, a sharecropper's cabin. Expecting warmth and camaraderie, he instead finds tension and despair. Jebb's mother, Dellie, lies ill, while Old Jebb proclaims the cold as a harbinger of doom, a sign of divine retribution for human sinfulness. The cabin's dark mood intensifies when Dellie, in a sudden outburst, strikes Jebb. Seth's mention of the sinister man with a knife barely registers amidst the family's preoccupations.

The Confrontation

The story reaches its peak when Seth's father confronts the tramp. After paying him a half day's wage for his efforts, Seth's father makes it clear the man will not be hired again. In response, the tramp curses the farm and derides Seth's father, spitting contemptuously close to his boot. Undeterred, Seth's father holds his ground, forcing the man to retreat. Yet, Seth remains captivated by the stranger, trailing him against his better judgment.

A Threatening Path

Caught in the stranger's unsettling allure, Seth trails the man a cautious distance behind. His curiosity prompts him to question the man's origins, but his inquiries are met with hostility. The man eventually turns, threatening Seth in a chilling encounter: "Stop following me. You don’t stop following me and I cut yore throat, you little son-of-a-bitch." This threat, though terrifying, does nothing to quench the boy's fascination.

Reflections and Realizations

The narrative closes with Seth reflecting on the passage of time and the fates of those involved. Both of his parents have passed away, Jebb is incarcerated, and Dellie is also deceased. Only Old Jebb remains, having remarkably surpassed a century in age. Despite the tramp's ominous warning, Seth admits that in many ways, he continued to "follow him, all the years." This haunting conclusion suggests a lifelong impact of that fateful day—a blend of fear, curiosity, and an unshakeable memory of childhood.