Georgia BIOS:  The Boarding House   
   American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers'
   Project, 1936-1940
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Item 4 of 73 
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   [The Boarding House]
     _________________________________________________________________
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   LIFE HISTORY?]
   
   February 7, 1939
   
   Mrs. Texie Gordon
   
   363 E. Hancock Ave.
   
   Athens, Georgia
   
   Boarding House Mgr.
   
   Grace McCune {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , writer {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   THE BOARDING HOUSE {Begin deleted text} Starting out on an early
   assignment to get an interview with the city judge, I found when I
   arrived at his office, that he was at home sick and would not get down
   for the day. I decided to try someone else. {End deleted text} {Begin
   deleted text} Walking down the street I came to a {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Mrs. Brittain's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} large two-story house {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} is {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   painted brown and trimmed in yellow. A sign on the front of the house
   {Begin deleted text} [read?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [reads:?] [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} "rooms and meals, [very reasonable?]. {Begin deleted text} The
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} This
   boarding {End handwritten} {End inserted text} house is near the
   business part of town, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and
   is {End handwritten} {End inserted text} convenient for the {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} business {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} people {Begin deleted text} that work {End deleted
   text} and {Begin deleted text} also {End deleted text} students. The
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} small {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} yard {Begin deleted text} was small, but clean and had
   recently been {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [was?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} freshly {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} spaded and a few flowers {Begin deleted text} had been
   put out. {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   [showed he [?] of [recent?] [? ?]. {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} The front door was open. {End deleted text}
   I [knocked on the screen?] door, and a [ {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} A?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} tall, {End deleted text} slender black {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} headed girl
   {Begin deleted text} came to {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} answered my knock on {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} the door. {Begin deleted text} I asked her if she was
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} "May I
   speak with {End handwritten} {End inserted text} the manager of the
   boarding house {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ?" {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} She said, "No,
   {End deleted text} [ {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?]
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} ?] {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {Begin deleted text} that is {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} that's {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} mother {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ," she
   replied {End handwritten} {End inserted text} . " {Begin deleted text}
   She is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   She's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} in town {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} right {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   now, but will be back in a few minutes {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} won't you come in
   and wait for her? {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {Begin deleted
   text} She opened the screen door and I {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} We {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} went through a narrow hall, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} in which was the {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] up the long {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   stairway {Begin deleted text} leading {End deleted text} to the second
   floor {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} We went into large {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} as we passed [?] way
   to the {End handwritten} {End inserted text} dining room. She {Begin
   deleted text} pulled {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} placed {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a rocking
   chair near the heater, and asked if I would have a seat {Begin deleted
   text} near the fire {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} , for it was
   rather cool out {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , and she
   was sure I must be chilled. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} She
   excused herself, saying that she had to order some things from the
   store that the cook needed to finish up {Begin deleted text} her {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} dinner. {Begin handwritten} [C. ? ?]
   {End handwritten}

   The {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} large {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} room was {Begin deleted text} very {End deleted
   text} clean and attractive. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   It's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Walls were {Begin deleted
   text} done in a {End deleted text} light [creamcolor?], and the
   woodwork and doors were painted {Begin deleted text} a dark {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} to resemble
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} oak. {Begin deleted text}
   Freshly laundered {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} Crisply fresh {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   curtains were draped * at the three large windows {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} [over
   cream window shades.*] {Begin deleted text} Floor was covered with
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} linoleum square of dark brown and
   green {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , was on the floor and
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} A few pictures {Begin deleted
   text} were hung around {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} decorated {End handwritten} {End inserted text} the
   walls. {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} The {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   long {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} dining {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} table {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} covered with a
   {Begin deleted text} fresh {End deleted text} clean white cloth,
   {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} extended {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   almost across the room, and in the center of it, was a vase of {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} artificial {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} sweet peas, {Begin deleted text} that I at first
   thought were fresh, but I found that they were artificial {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} that was of
   surprisingly natural appearance {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   . {Begin deleted text} The {End deleted text} other furniture {Begin
   deleted text} concluded of {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} included {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a
   large buffet, china closet, frigidaire {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and radio. Besides
   the {Begin deleted text} dining {End deleted text} chairs placed
   around the {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} dining {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} table, there were four large rocking
   chairs[.?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} in this room.
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} A card table, folded up and
   {Begin deleted text} sitting by the {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} leaning against {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} china closet {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   , and {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a chinese checker board on
   the buffet, {Begin deleted text} gave {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} were {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} evidence that the dining room {Begin deleted text} was
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} is {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} also used as a living room part of
   the time.
   
   A small fox terrier {Begin deleted text} dog came in the room {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} entered {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} and at once came to see if it knew
   me. As I patted {Begin deleted text} its {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the dogs {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} head, a large black cat came {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} in and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End inserted text} jumped in my
   lap {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , and wanted a share of
   the caresses. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} The cook came in
   to get some dishes, and seeing the cat and dog, laughed {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} and said, {End deleted text} "Lawsy Missy,
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} " she said " {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} you done been 'dopted in dis fambly,
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} cause dat black cat sho don't make friends wid every
   body dat come hyar. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} came in, {Begin deleted text} at this time. {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} Her daughter explained that I had been waiting for
   sometime to see her. Handing her daughter some packages, telling her
   to {Begin deleted text} give {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} take {End handwritten} {End inserted text} them to
   the cook {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} at once. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} She turned to me and said, "Just let
   me get off my coat and hat {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and {Begin deleted text} I' will
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'll {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} be right back. {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} As she came back in the dining room without her heavy
   coat and hat, {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} When she returned, {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   I saw {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} her {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} as a tall, dark headed woman of good figure and
   medium weight {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} dressed in a dark crepe {Begin
   deleted text} [freds?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} frock. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} her {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} long {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} hair {Begin deleted text} [was?] long and plaited in
   two plaits, that was brought around her head in the {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} was dressed in the {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} very latest style, {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} with two [braids ? her head?]. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   I explained {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the [purpose?]
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} my visit {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and {Begin
   deleted text} asked her if she would tell me something of her problems
   in running a boarding house. {End deleted text} She laughed heartily,
   "Well, after sixteen years of {Begin deleted text} it {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} running a boarding
   house, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I still have plenty of
   problems {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} to face, {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} And everybody else that is in this
   kind of work has them. But {Begin deleted text} I have {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I've {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} been able to make a living, and make ends meet, so
   I guess {Begin deleted text} I have {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} I've {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   done pretty well.
   
   "I was {Begin deleted text} raised {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} reared {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   on a farm, and lived {Begin deleted text} on a farm {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} there {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} until {Begin deleted text} I moved to town {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} long {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} [ {Begin deleted text} this {End deleted text} ?]
   After my husband died {Begin deleted text} I stayed on at our home,
   {End deleted text} as I owned {Begin deleted text} it {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} our home {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} , and my son was large enough to help
   me manage {Begin deleted text} my {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} the {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   farm, {Begin deleted text} But when {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} we lived there {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} , he married {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} Then {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I moved to
   town, for I didn't see how I could run a farm by myself. My oldest
   daughter was also married and my other two girls were too small to
   help. {Begin deleted text} I also {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} had my
   mother to take care of {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} too,
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and like every one else I came
   to town.
   
   {Begin deleted text} The first year that I was in town, {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} The first year after I
   left the farm, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I did practical
   nursing[.?] I was busy all the time and of course I didn't {Begin
   deleted text} make {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} earn {End handwritten} {End inserted text} anything near
   {Begin deleted text} like a {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} as much as a {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   graduate nurse. But I did make {Begin deleted text} fifteen dollars
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} $15 {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} a week and board, and with that I was
   able to support my mother and two girls. I don't know if you know
   anything about nursing, but {Begin deleted text} it is {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} it's {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} hard work.
   
   {Begin deleted text} And {End deleted text} I {Begin deleted text} was
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} had to be
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} away from home all the time, day
   and night, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I hated to leave mother and the
   children by themselves, {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text}
   especially at night for {Begin deleted text} my {End deleted text}
   mother was old and her health was very bad. After thinking about
   everything that I knew how to do {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I realized the
   fact, that I was better at cooking than anything else, and that is
   when I thought of a boarding house.
   
   "But still I didn't really know anything about {Begin deleted text}
   that {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   keeping boarders, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and to get a
   little experience in this I worked seven months for a woman who {Begin
   deleted text} run {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} ran {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a large
   boarding house {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted
   text} when it was time to think of starting my children to school
   again[ {Begin handwritten} ,# {End handwritten} ?] I rented a large
   house and started to taking boarders. I guess I was lucky[,?] for I
   soon had a house full, but even at that, it was a hard pull for I had
   gone to some expense in getting
   more furniture and linens than I had to have.
   
   "After getting it started and running very nicely, I got a good cook,
   and then I went back to nursing {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} [?] and {End deleted text} I worked for one of the doctors here
   for a long time. Of course, it wasn't regular, mostly just his
   maternity cases. In this way I was able to keep going until I had paid
   up all my bills. Yes, it was hard, but I have always been used to
   work, and {Begin deleted text} I had {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'd {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} rather work hard any day than sit down and wait for some one
   else to do for me.
   
   "I stayed there in that place for a little over a year, and then I
   rented a larger house a little {Begin deleted text} near {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} nearer {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} in town. I was really making good
   there, and stayed {Begin deleted text} there {End deleted text} for
   about two years {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} in that
   location. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I had a full house all
   the time {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} as well as just the {Begin deleted text} ones {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} outsiders {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} that took their meals with me. But
   even boarding houses are like any other kind of business. Some one is
   always trying to {Begin deleted text} do [?] them you [?] {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} outdo you. There's
   plenty of competition. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} And {End deleted text} this was {Begin deleted text}
   ture {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} true
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} in my case. {Begin deleted text}
   I was paying {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} My rent was {End handwritten} {End inserted text} $30 a
   month {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} for {End deleted text} rent wasn't as high then as it is
   now. A woman just below me on the same street was {Begin deleted text}
   also {End deleted text} running a boarding house[.?] {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} too {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   She was always wanting to know how I managed so well, and how could I
   keep my boarders so long, as hers were just coming or going all the
   time. {Begin deleted text} I worked hard, and {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} told her that I did most of my {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} own {End handwritten} {End inserted text} work and
   that my children {Begin deleted text} also {End deleted text} helped
   when they were out of school. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} We didn't pay out everything we took in to servants, and
   our personal work and attention helped to keep satisfied boarders.
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "Even at that, she wasn't {Begin deleted text} satsified {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} satisfied {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} and {Begin deleted text} went to {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} told {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} the man I was renting from, {Begin
   deleted text} told him {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} that {End handwritten} {End inserted text} she would give
   him {Begin deleted text} fifteen dollars more {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} $15 {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} a month {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} more
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} than I was paying. He came to me
   and told me of her offer, and said that I could stay on if I wanted to
   pay the extra money. I didn't feel able to do that, so I told him
   {Begin deleted text} I would {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} I'd {End handwritten} {End inserted text} just
   move and she could have the house. I rented this house and have been
   here ever since.
   
   "The other woman moved in, took part of my boarders, as I did not have
   room for all of them {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} /# {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} here. {Begin deleted text} But child,
   {End deleted text} it never pays to try
   to undermine any one, for in a very short time, she was almost without
   any boarders at all. My old ones that I left with her had all {Begin
   deleted text} left {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} gone away. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} many
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} of them {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} got rooms near enough {Begin deleted text} to [?],
   so that they could still {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} to enable them to continue {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} take {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} taking {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} their meals {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} with me. {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} It looked like bad luck hit {Begin deleted text}
   the {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} that
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} poor woman, {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} who got the house from me. {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} I was
   really sorry for her, for she just kept going from bad to worse, and
   few years ago she was so up against it that she drank poison[?] and
   died before they could get her to a hospital.
   
   "But, let me tell you one thing, I do not have any drinking in my
   house {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} . Not {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} if I know it. I have had plenty of
   them to think they could get by {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} with their liquor in my house, {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} but they soon find out that I mean business, for they
   have to get out, and if they don't get out when I tell them to {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} get out. {End deleted text} Then I show
   them that I can {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} have them
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} put {Begin deleted text} them
   {End deleted text} out. But I have very little trouble, for in all of
   my sixteen years, the law has only been in my house three times.
   
   "One of those times I had to call {Begin deleted text} them {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [police?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to get a
   man. I didn't know what was wrong with him, but the {Begin deleted
   text} police {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} officers {End handwritten} {End inserted text} knew him
   and {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [stat?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} said
   he was a dope fiend. We thought he was crazy and {Begin deleted text}
   [?] was all {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} all of us were {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   afraid of him {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} but that is {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} that's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} the only time {Begin deleted text} I
   have {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I've
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} ever had any one like him {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , and {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} But {End deleted text} I hope that
   I won't ever {Begin deleted text} any more {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} have a dope addict to contend with
   again. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "One of the greatest problems in this kind of work is keeping {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} dependable {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} good {End deleted text} help
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [,?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} that you can depend on. {End
   deleted text} For this is {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   such {End handwritten} {End inserted text} hard work {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} they
   may {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} have some {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} get off in the
   {End deleted text} afternoons {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} off {End handwritten} {End inserted text} but how they do
   hate to come early in the mornings. Most of my boarders are all
   working people, and they {Begin deleted text} have {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} want {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} breakfast {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   [,?] [served?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} not later than
   seven o'clock. My days' work starts around {Begin deleted text} five
   thirty {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   5:30 {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to {Begin deleted text} six
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} in the morning. I usually get the
   breakfast started before the cook gets here, but {Begin deleted text}
   she is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   she's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} pretty good and {Begin
   deleted text} it is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} it's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} never much
   after six when she {Begin deleted text} gets here {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} arrives. {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text}
   
   "We have dinner from 12 to 2, as we have a good many students for
   meals, and most of them meet here by two o'clock, but when they can't
   she fixes {Begin deleted text} them a {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} their {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} plate {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} plates {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} and puts {Begin deleted text} it {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} them {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} in the warming closet on {Begin deleted text} the
   stove, for I use a large {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} big old {End handwritten} {End inserted text} wood
   burning range. She is {Begin deleted text} then {End deleted text} off
   every afternoon until time to start the supper. {Begin deleted text}
   She {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} The
   best proof that she {End handwritten} {End inserted text} is smart and
   a good cook, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} is {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} the {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} fact that {End handwritten} {End inserted text} boarders
   all like her and are always giving her something.
   
   "I got sick about {Begin deleted text} {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} four {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} years ago, and was in the hospital {Begin deleted text}
   from a {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ,
   for sometime after a {End handwritten} {End inserted text} major
   operation {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {Begin deleted text}
   for sometime {End deleted text} I had to let my boarders all go then,
   for it was a long time before I was able to look after the house[.?]
   {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} really
   started back long before I should have. {Begin deleted text} But {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} because {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} they begged so hard {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} for me {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   to come back {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} . They {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} said they would just do any way for
   it was just like home here[.?] {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted
   text} they are all very nice {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   to me. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "Oh, yes, {Begin deleted text} I have {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I've {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} lost money[,?] many, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} many times, and in
   large amounts {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} too. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} When {Begin deleted text} I have {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I've {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} tried to help {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} some of {End handwritten} {End inserted text} them
   out, especially {Begin deleted text} when {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} if {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} they were out of work {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} sometimes then they have slipped
   out owing me a months board and some {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} beat me out of {End handwritten} {End inserted text} more
   than that, but for every one that does that way. I usually find some
   one else that is a good {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   honest {End handwritten} {End inserted text} payer. {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} When
   {Begin deleted text} the overall {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} a certain {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} plant near here[ {Begin handwritten} ,? {End handwritten} ]
   opened up again after it had been closed for {Begin deleted text}
   sometime {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   awhile {End handwritten} {End inserted text} the man that came here to
   run it {Begin deleted text} came to me and {End deleted text} made
   arrangements {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} with me {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} for his meals. Well, I never got
   {Begin deleted text} any of it {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} a cent for them. {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} But I was not the only one he caught, for he used the
   [firm's?] money, gave the help bad checks, and {Begin handwritten} /#
   {End handwritten} owed everyone in town that had let him have
   anything[.?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} on credit. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} Yes, he got out of it some way. I
   never could understand how. The help finally got their money from the
   owners, but none of the rest of us were so lucky, for he had nothing
   for us to get it out of.
   
   "Everyone is not like that, only last Sunday I had four girls in for
   lunch. I knew the girls, as they eat here {Begin deleted text} quiet
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} quite
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} often. I was busy when they went
   out, and one of the girls put a bill in my pocket, as
   she went out, saying that she was paying for all them. It was sometime
   before I had time to check {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   up {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} for all
   the lunches {End deleted text} , and then I found that she had gave me
   a {Begin deleted text} five dollar {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} $5 {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   bill instead of the {Begin deleted text} one {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} $1 {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} that she owed me. I called her, and told her of the mistake. She
   had missed the bill, but {Begin deleted text} did not {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} didn't {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} know where she had lost it. She sure
   did thank me and said, 'but if you hadn't called I would never have
   known how I lost it, for I was sure I gave you a {Begin deleted text}
   one dollar {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} $1 {End handwritten} {End inserted text} bill.'
   
   "I have some boarders that have been with me for {Begin deleted text}
   seven {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and {Begin deleted text} eight
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} years {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} there are other {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} people that have just been having meals here for that
   long. I {Begin deleted text} do not {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} don't {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   see much difference {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} in {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} now and when I first started out with
   a boarding house. I mean in the expenses of it. Somethings are higher,
   rent for one thing. Of course, groceries go up and down all along.
   Meats are the same way. I {Begin deleted text} do not {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} don't {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} have a garden, but I get fresh
   vegetables all the time, mostly from the farmers when I can for having
   lived on a farm I know how it is {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} for a farmer to get cash for produce. {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text}
   
   "I also get a good deal of my meat from {Begin deleted text} them {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} farmers {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} . I like it, for I was used to {Begin
   deleted text} having {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [growing?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} my own
   meats at home and {Begin deleted text} it {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} these purchases {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} help me as much as {Begin deleted text} it {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} they {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} does {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} do {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} them for I get {Begin deleted text}
   it {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} food
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} cheaper and they get the money
   for {Begin deleted text} other {End deleted text} things they need.
   {Begin deleted text} Then {End deleted text} many of these {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} farmers that I trade with {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} send their children to me when they
   {Begin deleted text} come {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} here
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} enter
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} school here[.?] You know {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} I appreciate that[,?] for it makes me think they have confidence
   in me, and I try not to betray that trust.
   
   "I have different rates for my boarders. {Begin deleted text} It is by
   the day then it {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} My daily rate for board is $1 {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} is {Begin deleted text} a dollar a day {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , but the {Begin
   deleted text} weekly {End deleted text} weekly {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} it {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} rate {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} is {Begin deleted text} six dollars, {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} $6. {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} , {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} by the
   month {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} it is {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} twnety five {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} $25 {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} for {Begin deleted text} the {End
   deleted text} men, {Begin deleted text} twenty {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} $20 {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} for women and {Begin deleted text} also {End deleted
   text} students. Meals are {Begin deleted text} twenty five cents, {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} 25 each {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} and you know I make good on those
   meals. The other houses around here say they do not see how I can
   {Begin deleted text} make {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} clear {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   any[-?] {Begin deleted text} thing {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [profit?] {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} the way I feed but I do.
   
   "Yes, {Begin deleted text} it is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} it's {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   hard work. You come in contact with all classes of people, both good
   and bad, but when I get some rough ones in, I get
   them out[.?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} again. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I ask {Begin deleted text} them all
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} all my
   boarders {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to respect my house as
   they would their own home. {Begin deleted text} Oh, {End deleted text}
   what class of people had I rather have {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Well, I think the
   working class {Begin deleted text} of people {End deleted text} {Begin
   deleted text} suit {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} suits {End handwritten} {End inserted text} me the best.
   They are more considerate. I guess {Begin deleted text} it is {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} it's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} because they have to work and know
   how {Begin deleted text} it is[,?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} I work too, {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} and then the students that I have are very quiet[.?] {Begin
   deleted text} but they {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} My boarders {End handwritten} {End inserted text} are all
   congenial, and {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} every night
   they play cards[,?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} checkers[.?] {Begin deleted text} or
   {End deleted text} some just sit around and play the radio {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , or read and study. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "I keep fires in the diningroom and the livingroom for them, but if
   they have {Begin deleted text} fires {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} fire {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} in their rooms then they furnish that themselves. I
   have plenty of hot water all the time. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} There is one {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   Bathroom upstairs and {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   another {End handwritten} {End inserted text} downstairs {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} [too?] {End deleted text} , {Begin deleted
   text} and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} "I try to make[,?] them all feel
   at home. They all like {Begin deleted text} to play a jokes on me, and
   they all like to tease me {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} tease me and play jokes on me {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} , but {Begin deleted text} it is {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} it's all {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} done in {Begin deleted text} a way
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} friendly {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} friendliest
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} manner. {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} However, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} "
   {Begin deleted text} And when {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} if {End handwritten} {End inserted text} someone
   gets the best of me, {Begin deleted text} they {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the others {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} don't like it {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} a bit {End handwritten} {End inserted text} , but {Begin
   deleted text} they will {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} they'll {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   tease me[.?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} themselves
   right on. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} For instance, not long
   ago just at lunch time when most of them were here {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [,?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} A
   very nice looking middle-aged man {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} , who said he was a Methodist preacher came here with a
   young man that he said was his son. {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} and a younger man came in. He said he was a
   Methodist preacher and the young man was his son. {End deleted text}
   He said they were going to be in town for a few days and wanted a room
   and meals.
   
   "I happened to have a vacant room[.?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} that {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I showed him
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} the room. {End deleted text} He
   liked it and said {Begin deleted text} they would {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} they'd {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} take it. Well, they had lunch, came back for
   supper and {Begin deleted text} was {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} were {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   so friendly {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and nice {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} that everyone liked {Begin deleted
   text} them {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} 'em {End handwritten} {End inserted text} . After sitting
   around and talking for a while they said they were tired and {Begin
   deleted text} was {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} were {End handwritten} {End inserted text} going to their
   room. {Begin deleted text} And {End deleted text} that was the last we
   saw of them {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} For instead of going to their
   room[,?] they left.
   
   "Oh, yes, the boys sure did tease me about that. You see I am a
   Methodist {Begin deleted text} also {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} too {End handwritten} {End inserted text} ,
   and they told me that if {Begin deleted text} it {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} that {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} had been a Baptist preacher {Begin deleted text} he
   would {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   he'd {End handwritten} {End inserted text} have paid for his meals.
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} She laughed and {Begin deleted text} said, {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} continued: {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I told them that if they had been
   Baptist they would have at least
   slept part of the night, instead of leaving a good bed like that. But
   now, {Begin deleted text} I will {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} I'll {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   have to stop and help {Begin deleted text} the {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} my {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} cook get {Begin deleted text} the {End deleted text}
   dinner on the table for these boys of mine are always hungry. I want
   you to stay and try one of my lunches. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   I thanked her and said if she didn't mind I would like to very
   much[.?] {Begin deleted text} for I did not get home for lunch. {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} The {Begin deleted text} people {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} boarders {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} began coming in, {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [and?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   every one was friendly and had something to say to each other. {Begin
   deleted text} Severals {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   Several {End inserted text} girls {Begin deleted text} that {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} who {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} work in the stores came together, and
   discussed their work and the picture they were going to see that
   evening. {Begin deleted text} Several {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [Although?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} students came {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted
   text} {Begin deleted text} talked {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} talking {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} about tests they had during the morning[.?], some thought they
   {Begin deleted text} made it and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [falling marks others were not so sure.?]
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} discussing the questions and
   what they had answered, one of them said, "Well, I sure have flunked
   that test if you all are right. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} They all laughed
   and told him to do better on the afternoon test. {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} Another boy {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [A ? ?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} came
   in and said, "Well, folks, the music {Begin deleted text} man is {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} man's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} in town." Everyone looked at Mrs.
   Brittain and laughed. I wondered what the joke was. {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Just
   as fast as one {Begin deleted text} table full {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} group {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} finished eating the table was {Begin deleted text}
   fixed {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?]
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} for the next, and they didn't
   stop coming until about two o'clock. then plates were fixed for two
   students that had not been able to {Begin deleted text} get there and
   then she had sent out {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} come [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} several
   trays {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} had {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} But {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [? ? ? ?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} there was plenty to eat, most anything that one could
   ask for, even two {Begin deleted text} different {End deleted text}
   {Begin deleted text} deserts {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} desserts {End handwritten} {End inserted text} .
   {Begin deleted text} {End deleted text} never {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} had
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} bought {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} such a lunch for {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [as little as?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   {Begin deleted text} twenty five cents. {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [25.?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} As lunch {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [? ?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} was almost over, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} when {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a {Begin
   deleted text} very neatly dressed {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} well groomed {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} old man came in {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} he was greeted {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [? ?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} by
   them all, {Begin deleted text} as he asked if he was {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} "Am I {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} too late {Begin deleted text} be {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} for {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} get {End deleted
   text} lunch. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} told him she was sure they could
   find
   {Begin deleted text} enough {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} some food {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   for him. He then wanted to know about a room. That {Begin deleted
   text} was {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   matter was {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text}
   fixed also {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [arranged?] too {End handwritten} {End inserted text} ,
   {Begin deleted text} as {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} when {End handwritten} {End inserted text} one of
   the boys said, "put him in the room with me. {Begin deleted text} We
   will {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   We'll {End handwritten} {End inserted text} be all right. {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} The {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [old?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} man said {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} that is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} that's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} all right
   with me[.?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} for that boy
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} He {End
   deleted text} has been needing a spanking for sometime and {Begin
   deleted text} that will {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} now I'll have {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} give me {End deleted text} a good chance to
   see that he gets it. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   After they {Begin deleted text} were all gone {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} had all departed {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} , Mrs. {Begin deleted text}
   Brittian's {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} Brittain's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} daughter
   laughed and said, " {Begin deleted text} that is {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} that's {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} the music man. We all like him. He tunes {Begin
   deleted text} piano {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} pianos {End handwritten} {End inserted text} for the
   music houses here, and {Begin deleted text} also {End deleted text}
   teaches music. {Begin deleted text} But {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} We tease mother because {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} he is a widower[,?] and he really
   wants to get married. {Begin deleted text} That is why we tease mother
   about him all the time for {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} He seems to like us for {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} he stays with us every time {Begin deleted text} he is
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} he's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} in town. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} laughed and said {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} seemed much amused {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} , "Well," {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} she began {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   from what a man told me the other night, {Begin deleted text} I will
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'll {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} never be able to marry again." {Begin
   deleted text} I asked what that could have been. She replied {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Asked for [her
   explanation, she continued?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} ,
   "I think I told you that I {Begin deleted text} did not {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} didn't {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} allow drinking here. {Begin deleted
   text} I had {End deleted text} a new man {Begin deleted text} that
   {End deleted text} had only been here a few days. {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} and while {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} He knew my rules on that matter[.?] {Begin deleted text} But
   {End deleted text} he thought he would get by {Begin deleted text} and
   he came in beastly drunk. {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} with it. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   {Begin deleted text} He came in late, and got in his room without me
   knowing it {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [I noticed him when he came in beastly drunk and went to
   his room very late one night. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   But after he {Begin deleted text} got in {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} reached {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} his room, he {Begin deleted text} fell {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} stumbled {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} over the chairs[,?] {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   tables, and {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} then {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} fell out of bed. I heard the {Begin
   deleted text} other {End deleted text} boys laughing {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} , so I {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} got up {Begin deleted
   text} {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} went upstairs, {Begin deleted
   text} and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} told {Begin deleted text} him
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the
   drunkard {End handwritten} {End inserted text} he would have to get
   out. {Begin deleted text} He told me that he wasn't {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [? was not?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} going out of this room {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ," {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} I told him he could get his things, and get
   out or I would have him {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [He defied me ? ? things and get out right now ?
   I'll have you {End handwritten} {End inserted text} put out. {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [? ? ?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} He finally {Begin deleted text} went. {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} left. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} But {End deleted
   text} when he got to the door he {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [looked?] at me and respectfully {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} said, 'It ain't no wonder {Begin deleted text} that
   {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} you are {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} you're {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} a widow. I don't see how your husband lived {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} eighteen years, if he had to stay with you.' I {Begin deleted
   text} told {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} him that if my
   husband had ever been in {Begin deleted text} the {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} his {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} condition {Begin deleted text} he {End deleted text}
   was in, that he wouldn't have lived that long.
   
   "I have had {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} a good {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} many {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} boarders {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to leave
   without paying and some have sent {Begin deleted text} it {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the money {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} back to me. One man left sometime
   ago. He had been out of work and owed me over a hundred dollars. He
   got work in another place, and he sends me money every week. I {Begin
   deleted text} {Begin handwritten} liked {End handwritten} {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} like {End inserted text} to help people
   that way {Begin deleted text} for {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} if {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I
   think {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} they are the sort {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} that {Begin deleted text} they {End
   deleted text} really appreciate it.
   
   "I {Begin deleted text} do not {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} don't {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   {Begin deleted text} make {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} clear {End handwritten} {End inserted text} so
   much {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] profit {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} , but I do make a living, {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} don't owe anybody. Yet, I have had some awful large bills to
   pay. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} I thought I would never get through paying doctors, and
   hospital bills[.?] {Begin deleted text} and them {End deleted text}
   {Begin deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?]
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {End deleted text} I lost my
   mother[.?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I had to pay {Begin deleted text} all
   these bills {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} all the bills connected with her [last?] [?] and funeral,
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} but the Lord has been with me
   for they are {Begin deleted text} paved {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} paid {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} . {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I sent my daughter to Atlanta for a
   business course. That cost me over three hundred dollars for school
   and board. My other daughter is married and there is just {Begin
   deleted text} tow {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} two {End handwritten} {End inserted text} of us at home
   now. {Begin deleted text} "But {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [In spite of all my heavy expenses?], {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I still don't have too little to
   divide with others. Not so long ago, there was a family near here[,?]
   that was in awful poor circumstances. The little boy got his arm broke
   and they were really up against it. I carried them a box of groceries,
   and when I saw just how badly in need they were I went around to all
   the neighbors and we all together got them the things they really
   [needed;?] food, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} clothes, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} as well as {End handwritten} {End inserted text} coal[,?]
   and wood {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} to make them a fire. {End
   deleted text}
   
   {Begin deleted text} And {End deleted text} I {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} even {End handwritten} {End inserted text} gave
   away my daughter's best coat. I just couldn't help it. A woman came
   here, asked for something to eat. It was cold and raining. I gave her
   something to eat and the coat. Yes, my daughter raved, said I would
   give away my head, and it wasn't a week until she gave her other coat
   to a girl that didn't have one. I had to buy her another coat, but
   {Begin deleted text} I am {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} I'm {End handwritten} {End inserted text} glad
   that she can think of other people also.
   
   "I have had a hard time. Although we have never been without the
   things we really needed. I just can't refuse to help others when they
   need it. Some of them around here, say 'I just don't see how you give
   so much, and especially when I bought two old women a pair of shoes
   and to tell the truth I had to have one pair of them charged. But any
   way I paid for them, and helped two boys out in the country get up
   some clothes so that they could go to school.
   
   "Then there was the old blind man. He needed an operation on his eyes.
   The doctors told him that if he could get a place to stay, they would
   treat his {Begin deleted text} eye {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} eyes {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   and then operate, and not charge him anything. Poor old man, he didn't
   have anything to pay for {Begin deleted text} a place to stay {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [food and
   room?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} . Nobody else would take
   him. So I did, and he stayed here ten weeks. I didn't miss the little
   he ate. When he got ready to go to the hospital my boarders and I got
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [ya?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} the clothes he needed. Now the old man can see how to
   walk by himself and doesn't need anyone to wait on him. No, I didn't
   lose anything by taking care of him. The boarders were awfully nice to
   him and looked after him at night, and {Begin deleted text} if {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I wish {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} you could see how happy that old man
   is {Begin deleted text} for {End deleted text} he comes to see us
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [occasionally?] and {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} we feel well paid for what little we
   were able to do.
   
   "I don't feel like I have lost anything in helping people. The Lord
   has been good to me. {Begin deleted text} I have {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I've {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} worked yes, but he keeps me able to work and has looked
   after me so far and I still have confidence in him {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} and {End deleted text} I know he will still help me if I
   do what {Begin deleted text} I can {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [? ? ? ? ? ]. {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text}
   
   There is a cotton buyer that takes his meals here. Last week I said
   something about buying some cotton to fix over some
   quilts. When he came in to lunch the next day, he brought {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} me {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} a large box of cotton. When I asked how much it was {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} He wouldn't let me pay for it {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} said {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} why couldn't
   someone do {Begin deleted text} me {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} you {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a
   favor one time {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ?" [he asked
   and added,?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} for {Begin deleted
   text} I was {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} you are {End handwritten} {End inserted text} always
   doing something for someone else. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "Last Christmas there was a family in this neighborhood, with five
   children in it. The father was out of work. They had {Begin deleted
   text} nothing {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} no cash {End handwritten} {End inserted text} very little
   to eat, and no prospects of Santa Claus making a visit there. I fixed
   a box for each of the children. One of my neighbors said, 'Mrs. {Begin
   deleted text} Brittian {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} Brittain {End handwritten} {End inserted text} how in the
   world can you give away so much? I can hardly meet my bills[.?] I
   don't know why it is, I just can't keep any boarders, and what are
   here don't pay half of the time. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "But this neighbor of mine {Begin deleted text} does not {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} doesn't {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} take an interest in her work. She
   will not fix for her boarders as I do. She will get out for her bridge
   and other pleasures and let her work go {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} undone. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I don't
   know which is right. She or I. But I just can't find time for much
   pleasure on the outside. I go to church[,?] sometimes {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} when I
   {Begin deleted text} cam {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} am {End handwritten} {End inserted text} so tired
   out at night I go to a show {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} that helps. And I do enjoy
   visiting {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} But it is {Begin deleted text} so {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} mighty {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} seldom that I have the time {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} for that {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} For {End deleted text} {Begin
   deleted text} I am {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} I'm {End handwritten} {End inserted text} busy from the
   time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} [But?] {End deleted text} I do all my
   sewing and that takes quite a bit of time. {Begin deleted text} "I
   have {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   "I've {End handwritten} {End inserted text} managed to give all of my
   children a fair education. The two oldest girls married young, before
   they {Begin deleted text} went through {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} finished {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} school, and one of them now is doing the very same
   thing {Begin deleted text} that I {End deleted text} y {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} I'm {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   {Begin deleted text} am {End deleted text} doing. She lost her husband
   and she is here in town {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} running a boarding house to try to
   get her boy and girl through the
   university. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   As we were talking one of her neighbors came in and from the
   conversation she was also taking in boarders and I wondered as I
   listend how the woman that I board with judges me; if I am rated as a
   good boarder or one of the kind that is so much trouble and expects
   too much for the money. It was my first time to listen to their side
   of it and I enjoyed it.
   
   The {Begin deleted text} woman {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   said {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} "Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} , I never hear you complain about your boarders
   and I don't see why. {Begin deleted text} Why, {End deleted text} mine
   are never {Begin deleted text} satisifed {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} satisfied. {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [/#?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I can't cook a thing to please 'em,
   and they are {Begin deleted text} threating {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} threatening {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} every time they come in to get 'em another {Begin
   deleted text} [pla?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} place {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to stay. I
   just get so mad I don't know what to do. Why, they can use more
   towels, and the laundry bill is tremendous. I just can't stand it.
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ["?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text}
   
   ["?]And you know they even want me to keep a fire in the living room
   at night, just so they won't have to buy any coal themselves. {Begin
   deleted text} It is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} It's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} outrageous.
   {Begin deleted text} And then {End deleted text} they grumble {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} about everything. {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} Turning to me she said, "Young lady,
   did you ever have to put up with running a boarding house? * I replied
   [no,*] {Begin deleted text} that {End deleted text} I {Begin deleted
   text} was {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   am {End handwritten} {End inserted text} just one of the boarders.
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} Mrs. Brittain laughed and said, "Well suppose you tell
   us just what kind of a boarder you are. Do you pay your board without
   grumbling? Are you hard to please? Does it take a lot of {Begin
   deleted text} twoels {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} towels {End handwritten} {End inserted text} for you?
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text}
   
   Looking at the merry twinkle in her dark brown {Begin deleted text}
   [eye?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   eyes {End handwritten} {End inserted text} , I knew why she was asking
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} all these questions, and I answered in the same spirit,
   "Well, as I board with a policeman's family I am afraid not to pay,
   but as to being a good boarder I am afraid to say. And as to eating,
   the biggest {Begin deleted text} rouble {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} trouble {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} there is, they
   think I should eat more than I do, and are always after me about that.
   {Begin deleted text} I have {End deleted text} many extra things
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} are {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} fixed for me to {Begin deleted text} eat {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} tempt my appetite and
   I'm grateful to my [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} Mrs. Brittian laughed again, and said, "Well, I should think
   then that you rate as a good boarder. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   The woman [?] {Begin deleted text} did not {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} didn't {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} stay very long[.?] After that {Begin deleted text} and
   {End deleted text} didn't discuss her boarders any more {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , and she {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} After {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} when {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} she was gone, "Mrs. Brittian said, "I shouldn't have
   asked you those questions, but {Begin deleted text} I'm {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'm {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} am {End deleted text} a
   pretty good judge of people and you answered just as I wanted you to.
   {Begin deleted text} For {End deleted text} she really is hard on her
   boarders. Yet, we do have to put up with a lot of things {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} to keep boarders satisfied." {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} "Just a few
   weeks ago, a man came in here one night {Begin deleted text} wanted
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} for {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} supper and a place to sleep {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} and {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} he {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} just had fifty cents. I did not have
   an extra bed. He wanted to know if I couldn't fix him a cot in the
   hall or {Begin deleted text} any where that I could. {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [??]. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} It was cold and raining. I felt sorry
   for him. I gave him his supper, and fixed a cot in the hall upstairs
   for him. The boys laughed at me and told me I was too easy. {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} They were right that time, for he slipped out the next
   morning[,?] {Begin deleted text} taking {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} with {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} with about eight dollars worth of clothes {Begin
   deleted text} that belonged {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} stolen from {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   to the boys. Yes, he got away and I made the things good, for it was
   my fault that he was there. The boys didn't want me to pay for the
   things {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} /They {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} said I couldn't help it, but I felt
   like it was nothing but right for me to {Begin deleted text} [?] {End
   deleted text} pay them for I was the one that put him there. {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text}
   
   The two boys came in for {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?]
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} lunch {Begin deleted text} that
   was late {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   that had been prepared for them. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   [They said?] {Begin deleted text} they were {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} "We're {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} hungry, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted
   text} did the cook leave anything for {Begin deleted text} them {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ["] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} said {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} replied {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} , "now {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} you know she did
   for I think you boys must
   be her special pets {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} for {Begin deleted text} she was {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} she's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} looking out for your plates before
   any one else {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} eats." {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} They laughed, {Begin deleted text} and said {End
   deleted text} "Don't you think it pays to stay on the good {Begin
   deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} side {End
   inserted text} of the cook? {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} But {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} one said. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} But {End deleted
   text} {Begin deleted text} "I'll {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} I'll {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   bet you haven't lost any more eggs, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} "[was the parting shot of the other young man?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} As she went to get their plates
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} While [? ?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} one of
   them said to me[:?]
   
   "Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} is dear old thing and just like a mother to us all. {Begin
   deleted text} She is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} She's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} good to
   everyone. But we do like to tease her, {Begin deleted text} even if
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} she is {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} she's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} a good sport {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} she {End handwritten} {End inserted text} can take it.
   {Begin deleted text} But {End deleted text} about the eggs; our cook
   was off sick and sent another cook in her place. The first night after
   supper, she asked Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittian {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} if she couldn't just take her supper
   home and eat while she rested. Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} said that would be all right, and
   anxious for {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the servant {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} everybody {End
   deleted text} to have enough {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   food {End handwritten} {End inserted text} she went back in the
   kitchen {Begin deleted text} as the cook was leaving and was going
   {End deleted text} to give her more {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} before she left. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   ["?]The cook insisted that she had a plenty, but went to sit the plate
   down on the cabinet, and when she did, eggs began to roll down her
   sleeves and hit the floor. She must have had at least a half a dozen
   up her sleeves. She was scared so bad, she didn't wait for her supper.
   She sold out. Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} had to scrub the floor and that cook didn't come
   back.
   
   Mrs. Brittian {Begin deleted text} said {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} , "Look out boys, how you talk to this woman you may get
   yourself in trouble, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} " she
   warned them, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} "for she is {Begin
   deleted text} getting {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} writing {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a story of
   our boarding house. They asked {Begin deleted text} her {End deleted
   text} what she had told me, and {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} then {End handwritten} {End inserted text} said, "Oh,
   well {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} Can we tell you a few things about this place? {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} I assured them that I would be glad {Begin deleted text} for
   them to {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   to listen {End handwritten} {End inserted text} . {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   One laughed and said, "Well, he told you about the eggs, {Begin
   deleted text} I will {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} I'll {End handwritten} {End inserted text} tell you about
   the wood.[?]
   
   Mrs. Brittian {Begin deleted text} had another cook and she {End
   deleted text} cooks with wood, and having lived on a farm she still
   buys her wood from the farmers, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [and?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} keeps a good
   supply on hand all the time. She was out one afternoon {Begin deleted
   text} and the {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} when another {End handwritten} {End inserted text} cook
   was here {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} She {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and that nigger {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} was helping {Begin deleted text} herslef {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} herself {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} to wood. Yes, mam, she loaded up a
   wagon full. A police {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [man?]
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} came by and asked {Begin deleted
   text} her {End deleted text} what she was doing. She told him that she
   worked for Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} and that she furnished her wood. He didn't know
   what else to say, but he told Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} about it and said he had noticed her
   sending wood out several times.
   
   "Then one time she took a woman and her son in for a couple of days
   because they didn't have anywhere else to stay. But when they left the
   room was awfully clean. Yes, mam, it was. even the linen off of the
   bed was gone. If we didn't have to get back to our class, we could
   tell more about this place here. Mrs. Brittain is easy in some ways
   but we sure know better than to come in tight. {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   As the {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} two young [men?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} went out the door, a small boy apparently between two
   and three years old came in calling {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} , " {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Granny {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} !" {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} She smiled and said this is my grandson. {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} He said
   he wanted to see Granny, 'cause I loves my Granny and {Begin deleted
   text} her is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} her's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} good to me
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [."?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} [then ? like he wanted to know if
   she had any candy and bananas. {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [So he was asking, "Got any candy, Granny?"
   His grandmother smiled, [? ?] finished, "How 'bout a nana?" Before she
   could [?], {End handwritten} {End inserted text} His older sister came
   in {Begin deleted text} then. She said {End deleted text} "he cried
   until {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} we just {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} she {End deleted
   text} had to bring him to see {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Granny and Fritie.
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} she said,
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} As he
   called Fritie {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [? ? ? ?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} the fox
   terrier {Begin deleted text} Dog {End deleted text} came running
   {Begin deleted text} to him, {End deleted text} and jumped all over
   the little boy. They were both very happy to see each other. Mrs.
   Brittain gave him some candy and {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} {Begin handwritten} bananas {End handwritten} {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} banana {End inserted text} and he went out to
   play[.?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} with the dog. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   After the children went out, Mrs. {Begin deleted text} Brittian {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Brittain {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} said, "We run up on many problems in
   a boarding house. The greatest one is good help. I have a good cook
   {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} now. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [I?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} pay her {Begin deleted text} four dollars {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} $4 {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} a week {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ,
   and {End handwritten} {End inserted text} feed her and her little boy.
   My laundry {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} bill {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} runs from a dollar {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} a week {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   up {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} and has been {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   as much as {End handwritten} {End inserted text} three dollars. {Begin
   deleted text} Of course {End deleted text} that {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} is just for {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   bed linens {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text}
   towels[.?] {Begin deleted text} and a wash woman does them {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and table
   linens {End handwritten} {End inserted text} . Our personal things we
   wash ourselves. Lights and water are reasonable, considering how
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} we use them.
   
   {Begin deleted text} I furnish lunches to {End deleted text} a good
   many of the business girls {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   get their lunches from us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and
   suppers {Begin deleted text} also {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} too {End handwritten} {End inserted text} .
   I can feed so many more than I can keep here, for I do not have {Begin
   deleted text} the {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} enough {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} room {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} rooms {End handwritten} {End inserted text} . Of course,
   I could get a larger and much nicer place {Begin deleted text} farther
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} further
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} out from town, but I don't
   really think that it would pay for so many of my boarders could not
   {Begin deleted text} [get?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [go far?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   out for their meals. I also feed lots more of the students than you
   saw today. {Begin deleted text} As {End deleted text} many of them do
   not come for lunch.
   
   "Besides {Begin deleted text} what {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [??] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   came to the house, I sent out enough lunches last week to bring in
   between nine and ten dollars and that is doing pretty good. My
   daughter has been {Begin deleted text} working some on the {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} doing some of
   the {End handwritten} {End inserted text} government work, but they
   put some of them off {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} lately
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and as she was one of the last
   ones to go on, she was put off, but she hopes to get back soon.
   
   About two years ago, a blind boy {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} stayed here for
   sometime. Not long ago, he was {Begin deleted text} going {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} walking {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} by here and heard me talking {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} he recognized my voice and came back to see me. I was really
   glad to see him for he was a nice boy and I liked him. He was very
   little trouble {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [even?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} if he was blind, and was never blue
   about his trouble.
   
   "Some people that {Begin deleted text} can pay the {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} are [the?] {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} best {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   able to pay, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} they are the first
   ones that will try to beat you out of something. But {Begin deleted
   text} some {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} others {End handwritten} {End inserted text} will pay
   good. I had a man that boarded here for sometime. He got out {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} of {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} work, and had to leave {Begin deleted text} here {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} town {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} . He owed three months board when he left {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , and {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} I did not hear from him for six months {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} and {End deleted text} then one day I received a money
   order for every penny that he owed.
   
   "About the same time another man left the same way, {Begin deleted
   text} owe {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   owing {End handwritten} {End inserted text} me {Begin deleted text}
   fifty dollars {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [$50?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} but I
   haven't had a line from him, but that just shows the difference in the
   two men. One wanted to pay and did pay. The other did not[.?] {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} care {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} . Still I try not to judge too hard for we never know
   just what the circumstances may [be?].
   
   "I had a crowd of brick layers boarding here. Their board was paid in
   advance. They knew my rules on drinking, but thought if they paid in
   advance I couldn't do anything about it. But {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [I?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} just
   gave them their money back and told them to get {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} out {End handwritten} {End inserted text} the next
   day. They begged, but it didn't do any good for that was one time that
   I was not easy. {Begin deleted text} "I have had a good many to leave
   owing me board and send every bit of it back and then money that I
   never hear from any more. But still I find that not all of them are
   bad. I had {End deleted text} one man {Begin deleted text} that {End
   deleted text} married twice while he {Begin deleted text} was {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} boarded {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} with me and he still eats lunch here.
   He and his [?] first wife separated and got a divorce {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   several years later {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} he married again and this time it was
   a girl that had lunch here every day. He lives too far out to go home
   for {Begin deleted text} lunch {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} ,
   so he still eats {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} lunch {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} here, and just real often she comes
   back with him {Begin deleted text} for lunch {End deleted text}
   
   {Begin deleted text} The {End deleted text} Some traveling men will
   get you if they can {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [They are?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} quicker
   than most anyone else. I had a shoe salesman here. He seemed
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} very {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} nice. He said he only got his check once a month. He
   stayed here while he worked the other towns near by. The cook was
   doing his washing. I guess maybe he got his check, I don't know, but
   the day he said he was to get it, he went out and did not return. He
   had slipped his clothes out with his samples and the cook and I were
   just out of luck.
   
   "I had another couple {Begin deleted text} that was {End deleted text}
   staying here with me {Begin deleted text} that {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [when?] {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} got married. They both got out of work for a long
   time and got behind in their board. He finally got work in {Begin
   deleted text} Va. {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} Virginia {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and asked
   me if he could go and send my money back. I told him to go ahead
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} just as
   soon as he could get {Begin deleted text} to {End deleted text} work
   he sent me every penny that they owed. And they never come through
   Athens without {Begin deleted text} stoping {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} stopping {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} to see me.
   
   "I have learned many things in running a boarding house. One is that
   it is very hard work, work that keeps you going from the early morning
   hours until late at night. One thing I have not been able to learn
   very well and that is to turn away people that I feel like really
   needs help.
   
   "But I do now require traveling people and others that I don't {Begin
   deleted text} rust {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} trust {End handwritten} {End inserted text} very much to
   pay in advance {Begin deleted text} for their room {End deleted text}
   . I guess if I had done this long [ago?] {Begin deleted text} that
   {End deleted text} I would saved something. I try to never worry over
   what has been done {Begin deleted text} [for?] {End deleted text} that
   can't be helped.
   
   "I am thankful that my health is so much better and that I can still
   run my boarding house for it means my living to me and my daughter,
   And {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [I?] {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} only hope {Begin deleted text} that I will {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'll {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} be able to continue to work {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} but I hear the cook in the kitchen. I {Begin deleted text} did
   not {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   didn't {End handwritten} {End inserted text} know {Begin deleted text}
   [?] {End deleted text} the time had passed so quickly."
   
   Realizing that she wanted to see about her supper, I thanked her for
   the {Begin deleted text} nice {End deleted text} story {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} and {End deleted text} told her how much I enjoyed the
   lunch {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , and {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} That I had had a
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} She {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} very pleasant day. As I {Begin
   deleted text} went out the door, {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} left {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   she came out on the porch with me and said, " {Begin deleted text} It
   has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} It's
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} been a pleasure to have you and
   I hope {Begin deleted text} you {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} you'll {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   come back again. But you {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   really {End handwritten} {End inserted text} should stay for I see the
   music man coming. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   ***********
   
   (Copied by M.S.E.
   
   Feb. 10, 1939)
   
************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced 
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must
obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of
this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives
to store the file permanently for free access.

From the Library of Congress
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaintro/gacat.html
***********************************************************************