While going through Mom's things we found this story that Aunt Pauline wrote a long time ago, it includes a story that Gramma wrote in 1917, I think all of the family will want a copy. It is 12-14 pages long. Marsha

Mom and Dad

Who made this history possible

I have written this for my own enjoyment, a brief history of the family of Scott and Bertha Bradshaw.

If the facts are scanty, its because I didn’t appear on the scene until part of this history was past, and must get most of my information from those that were there. Happenings that do appear here, however, are correct.

I have called this little history "B’s Wax " because it is about the doings of the B’s and their increase.

Pauline Bradshaw

~*~

B’s Wax

Scott Bradshaw rode merrily. And why shouldn’t he be happy? Wasn’t he going to see sweetheart in a little while?

Darling little Bertha, so tiny and shy with those big brown eyes sparkling a welcome.

Yes, Scott was very happy. The lazy lizards enjoying the sun on the rail fence by the way, scurried to cover as their rest was disturbed by his passing. Far to the east a buzzard circled slowly in the sky and then disappeared in the distance. It was a wonderful day.

As he forded a creek on his mule Scott’s blue eyes twinkled gaily in memory of the time he had carried Bonnie across the creek and had asked playfully, "If I should ask you to marry me, what would you say?"

She had replied in like manner, "I’d say yes."

"Then I won’t ask you," he had retorted, the mischievous smile on his face taking the sting from the words.

That was Scott; handsome, fun-loving, jolly. At seventeen, he was his father’s main hand, doing a man’s work on the farm and too proud to let anyone beat him at any task.

Coming over the last hill, he saw Bertha, barefoot, her dress matted with gum from the tobacco she had been topping, going to the house, her task finished for the day. She hesitated, wondering if it was too late to slip inside and clean up a bit before he saw her. Realizing that he had seen her already, she waited for him to dismount.

"I didn’t expect you so soon," she said, very much aware of her bare feet and soiled dress. "I must go and change."

"Bertha Miles!" scolded her mother as she went inside, "How could you let him see you in that outlandish dress!"

"Oh, he didn’t care, mamma, he said I looked cute in it," was the reply.

"Well, I should think you would have cared. Hurry up and change."

~*~

That summer was a very happy time for the couple and long to be remembered as the following article, written by Bertha years later, proves.

Written January 14, 1917

This is a beautiful winter day in January. The ground is covered with snow and the sun is shinning brightly.

I have finished my morning tasks and Scott is about his work, so I will write to pass the time, and as I can think of no better subject I will write of what is to me one of the most beautiful places in my home state, dear old Kentucky.

This particular place is located on a farm owned by my brother-in-law and adjoins both my father’s farm and my Uncle John Spaulding’s.

It is a big rock about six feet high at the lowest place and about fifteen at the highest, and on top it is almost level for about twenty feet each way and on one side has about a five foot slope in length about twenty feet.

On top of it in the spring time there are many wild flowers; violets, daisies, crowsfoot, lambstongue, wild pepper, and, the prettiest of all are the sweet williams, my favorite flower of the woods, which grows in wild profusion all over it. There is also several small trees on this rock where my sisters, my cousins and I used to cut initials; and sometimes we would climb to the top of the trees and hide, when we were playing hide and seek.

In the summer of 1909 there was scarcely a Sunday passed but found us there.

I was fifteen, the eldest of the bunch, although my cousin, Hallie, was only a month younger than me.

I thought that was lots then, enough anyway to make me ring leader in all we did. Then my sister Sue was thirteen, cousin Roe was twelve and my sister Sylva and cousin Stanley were almost eleven, and cousin Golda was nine, while my baby sister, Annie was eight. We played together nearly all the time and sometimes we would take the little fellows too, Hallie’s little brother and sister Elza and Gracie aged five and three and my little nephew and niece, Jesse and Clyda who was about the age of Elza and Gracie; but we had too take care of them too much to suit us so more often we left them at home.

Well, I think I am about to get more names and ages than anything else so I’ll begin at my rock again. It was not so easy to get on out rock, but that made it all the nicer to we adventure loving kids.

There was a bush that grew on the edge of the rock were it was about six feet high, (the rock was straight and smooth so we could not get any foothold on it) and we larger ones would get hold of the bush and pull ourselves up, then we would reach down for the others. When we got up tho; we would certainly enjoy ourselves gathering flowers and making wreaths and leaf dresses for the smaller ones.

Then we would cut our initials, together with the one we claimed for our sweethearts. Time has proved tho; that all were not destined to marry the one whose initials they cut in those days. Although I did, I am the only one of the four that are married, that got there sweetheart of those days. Many a good time we have had on that old rock and along the cliffs that were about six feet from it.

They were about half a mile in length and some places they were easy to climb but others they were twenty or thirty feet high and almost straight up and down with only a place here and there for footing but the harder the climb the better it suited us.

Below these cliffs was a creek, Rock Lick and at times the creek was out of the banks and all over the bottom fields, then it would get half way to the cliffs, it was about five hundred yards away when down in the banks. When the creek was up it was as wide as the Ohio River in lots of places where it was out over the bottom fields. We kids always had to go and see the creek when it would get up so high. Even in 1910 and 1911 when the creeks would be over the bottoms we would all go to our rock and watch the drift going down. There would be saw logs, trees and fence rails and sometimes shock corn or wheat in the drift and often a boat would get loose and go with the drift.

I remember in 1910 Scott and his brother, Ellis and two of Hallie’s cousins, Everett and Herbert Spaulding, came down to go fishing. Scott and I had been talking over a year then, so of course we had planned for all to go fishing, Papa, Uncle John, the boys and we girls. Well, of course it rained, and knocked our fishing in the head; but it also raised the creek so the boys couldn’t go home for two or three days. We all went down to the cliffs to see the high water. We were at Uncle John’s one day and they were at our house the next. We surely had a lovely time while the waters were up.

Oh well, those days are gone but the memories will live forever.

I have visited that rock several time since I have been married, and when I return to Kentucky I will go there again and think of the days of old and the many things that have happened since I first visited it. I now have a husband and a little boy and girl while Hallie is married and has a baby girl. Sue has a girl and Sylva a girl.

So I suppose never again will we all be at the dear old rock together but when I go back home I hope to see them all. Sue lives farther away from Papa’s than any of them and that is only six miles.

We will also visit the dear little house were Scott and I first began housekeeping. It is on his father’s place.

Well, as I read over what I have written I see that I have but vaguely expressed myself, but perhaps that is because I am no writer; but no words could express half the beauty of the dear rocks, woods, and flowers of old Kentucky.

~*~

Early in the fall their engagement was announced and plans for the wedding became the main topic of conversation in the Miles household.

One evening as Scott and Bertha sat in the little parlor planning their future; she became silent, deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about, Banty?" asked Scott using his pet name for her.

"I was wondering if you like children," she replied.

"Yes," came the answer. "I’d love to have some children, how many shall we have?"

"Oh if you like them we’ll have a dozen" was the joyful answer.

With money from her share of the tobacco crop Bertha bought material and made her wedding dress, royal blue gabardine with a tight fitting bodice and pleated belt.

The wedding day, December 6,1911, dawned bright and clear, and the simple ceremony was red as Bertha and her groom stood in the door of her home with just a few close relatives present.

That evening they rode over to his home where the infare supper was served and where they lived for a few days until their own home was ready.

Honeymoon cottage they called it. It was a very small house on the home farm. Just two rooms, one of which was divided by curtains into a kitchen and bedroom and the other serving as a living room and parlor but it was home, and a wonderfully happy one.

In a short time they realized their home would soon be complete for there would be a child –their child—to share it with them. The weeks passed in joyful preparation after a time they packed up bag and baggage and went to live with her parents.

Then, on September 10, 1912, after an anxious wait Scott was admitted to the room where his wife lay, tired but very happy with their son on her arm.

"Let’s name him after you, darling," she said.

"Not my full name," he objected. "We’d always be getting mixed up. Let’s call him Russell Scott."

"That’s a lovely name," she agreed.

After a few weeks they again moved in to a home of their own on the Eddie Robinson farm in Grayson County. How good it seemed to be alone with their son and watch him grow from a tiny baby into a toddler.

Their next move was to the Maggie Ford farm several miles away.

Months passed and once again the stork hovered near but this time the death angel was present to claim the daughter who arrived on March 13, 1914, Bertha Hazel they called her and sorrowfully laid her to rest in the family grave yard on the home farm.

Their home however was not destined without daughters for on September 12, 1915, Lidia Evelyn was born.

Russell was very proud of his little sister and enjoyed watching her. One morning the next spring Bertha was out getting some wood, having left Evelyn in her cradle, when she saw her son start toward her from the door with the baby in his little wagon.

Frightened out of her wits, Bertha dropped her load of wood and rushed to the rescue of her youngest, expected to find her half dead, snatching her from harm’s way she quickly made sure that she was unhurt, wondering how her three-year-old youngster could have taken the baby form the crib to the wagon without hurting her. Never again were the children left alone in the house.

The B’s again became restless and left the old hive taking a train to Fletcher, Illinois, and settling the Harry Heagler farm, then on to the John Dalton farm near there, hence to Steger, Illinois, where Kitty Opal put in an appearance. A few months later they were back in Kentucky at Hartford, on to Glen Dean and finally back home on a farm adjoining the old home place. Here they remained for four years.

On February 4, 1920, Zella Imogene came to join the family circle. How they enjoyed that summer; Russell slight of build and dark, Evelyn, with light hair and blue eyes, who was always slow to speak but sure of her facts when she did, Opal, dark haired tomboy, who said the first thing that came to mind whether right or wrong (and just as apt to be wrong) and ‘Gene, the sober pug-nosed baby, adored by everyone.

The fall came and with it an epidemic of diphtheria which soon spread to the happy household. The doctor was called but in spite of all his efforts and those of the frantic parents, on November 29, 1920, Evelyn slipped away to join her sister and was buried by her side.

Two years went by and then on a very rainy night, February 6, 1922, Xie Pauline arrived. As there was no time to call a doctor, Scott called his mother who lived on the home place adjoining his farm. Very much surprised at the news that another grandchild had arrived, she hurried to their aid. Mother and baby were doing fine and the house soon settled down to quite once more.

On August 1923, the B’s moved to Doyle Patterson farm on Short Creek. The baby, now walking was a baby no longer and on March 9, 1924, Nellda Yolande greeted the earth with a yell. Fat and fair, she was a decided contrast to her dark sister.

That fall the family moved back to their home. Everything went well until that dread disease, diphtheria, again threatened the household. The doctor came time after time, giving medicine and shots and all seemed to be better but Pauline who kept getting worse.

Finally the doctor announced that he had done all he could and her parents almost abandoned hope but determined to do all they could ‘till the end. That night as she lay in Bertha’s arms before the fire, Pauline heard a noise made by her breath through a choked nostril and said weakly, "I hear music." Her frightened parents drew near, sure that the end was there; but realized in an instant to what the sick child referred. After endless days and nights of waiting, it became apparent that Pauline was slowly gaining and soon was out of danger. Then, indeed was there rejoicing in the little home.

October 22, 1926 found the B’s again on the Harry Heagler farm near Fletcher and as Pauline and Nellda were playing they were told to go upstairs and lie down with Grandmother. They obeyed but were surprised to find that she wasn’t anywhere to be found; on descending the stairs, they found the door locked and began to call for someone to let them out, when their cries were unheeded they began banging and shouting, but to no avail.

After what seemed an eternity to the children, the door was opened and they were taken to their mother’s room where they found a baby sister.

As the older children were heard coming home from school, the little girls were given permission to meet them with the big news. All were delighted with the new arrival and the problems of what to name her was much discussed. The family finally decided on Dallas Marie.

Away from the Heagler’s again; this time to the Everett McKinstry farm near Grant Park, Illinois, from it to their home in Kentucky and on to the old home place with the B’s. There Scott spent the next summer making a crop on his mother’s farm. That fall however, they loaded their belongings into their model T Ford and were off for Illinois to the Everett McKinstry farm once more.

On November 18, 1928, the children were aroused from sleep early and told they could go to the neighbors to stay until Dad came after them. While there they noticed a car at their home and were disappointed to have missed the company that must have been there; but their disappointment soon turned to delight when they reached home to find another baby sister. Floris Anita was welcomed and with great enthusiasm by her elder sisters each one begging to be allowed to hold her.

When she was about six months old the B’s again decided to change their home. This time in the early summer of 1929 they settled in Steger, Illinois. In October of that year they moved to another house in the same town.

On October 12, 1930, they landed near Merna were Scott worked on a farm until January 1931 when they moved back to a house near Grant Park staying just long enough for their former home to be vacated. Then they again settled in it and Scott again went to work at the Illinois Shade Cloth Corporation.

On May 27, 1931, while the children were all playing at some playhouses they’d made in the woods near their home, Scott looked proudly down upon his second son John Carlos; who was eagerly accepted into the family circle. Jack soon became a husky little boy and one summer day as he was playing outdoors he picked up a double acorn and put it in his mouth, unnoticed by the other children. Attempting to crawl up the steps, he fell and the acorns lodged in his throat. The girls caught him up and brought him to Bertha, choking and trying to cry. Upon seeing his condition she sent for a neighbor to take him to the doctor in a few minutes that seemed an eternity they were on their way, but before they had gone far, they baby vomited expelling the acorns to the great relief of everyone.

In the fall of 1932 Opal and Imogene both started high school and to permit them to attend, the family moved to a house in Grant Park in October of that year. On October 8, 1933 they moved to another house in Grant Park.

The girls all in school the next fall, 1934, and Bertha and Jack had the house to themselves. The four older girls entered the musical training at school and were members of the band, orchestra, and glee clubs.

On September first of that year the B’ hive buzzed busily for the eldest of the brood had chosen that day to establish a home of his own.

Amid the congratulations and best wishes of friends and relatives Russell and his bride, Alice Van Kley, moved into their new home across town.

It was a sad time for Bertha for it was hard to realize that her son had grown up, however, she soon had something else to occupy her time as she realized that there was to be another increase in the family.

On April 2, 1935, Bertha and Jack were alone when she became ill and sent Jack to the neighbors to call Opal home from school. When the other children arrived they were told to go to their friends’ home and play until they were called. They had supper and by that time Scott had brought word that they had another baby sister, Wilma Gladys born at twenty minutes until five o’clock that evening. They all rushed home to greet the new arrival and then Opal, Imogene, Pauline and Nellda dressed hurriedly to attend a concert in which they were to take part.

That summer was spent playing with the baby and visiting at Russell’s. Then with fall, came school again for the girls and Russell and Alice decided to move closer to his work so the visits were not so frequent.

On March 11, 1936, Scott came home from work looking very proud and happy and announced that he was a grandfather. Russell was the father of a baby girl, Alice Marie, born that day.

That spring the B’s again became restless and swarmed back to the Jerry Thorne farm. Opal and Imogene were now attending the Momence High School as only three years were taught. Their graduation in May 1936 caused quite a stir in the B’ hive, as they were the first of the brood to receive diplomas.

Theodore Quinton was born on August 9, 1936; he was too frail to survive in this world and became ill before a week had passed. A doctor was called and "Teddy" was taken to the hospital. A telephone message came saying that he was worse and Scott and Bertha, though she was hardly able, rushed to their baby’s bedside to find that he had rallied, but not for long. The next evening August 24, just at dusk, a message came that he had passed on to a happier land and with loving hands and aching hearts they laid him to rest in the Sherburnville cemetery at Sherburnville, Illinois, where they purchased a lot.

The troubles of the B’s were still not over for that winter Wilma became so ill that Scott was called home from work and a doctor was summoned. The diagnosis was near pneumonia and the baby was put to bed with orders that she was not to be taken up. Several nights her parents and friends watched by her bedside for they couldn’t be sure that she would not slip away while they slept to join her brother and sisters. Finally, however the crisis was passed and the little home became once more the happy, noisy, place so dear to all.

Wilma had regained her strength by mid summer and began to walk. The other children were here constant companions until September when they were once more in school. Jack was now old enough to go with his sisters and thought himself as big as any of them. Pauline being a freshman this year found it necessary to board in town, as there was no available transportation to and from school. Opal and Imogene were both working in homes nearby so Saturday and Sunday were the only days that the family was together, but these days were enjoyed to the utmost.

During a visit to Kentucky the previous summer Opal had met and fell in love with Preston Beauchamp, to whom she wrote during the fall and winter and on February 5, 1938, they were married and with fond good byes Scott and Bertha saw their eldest daughter happily on her way to her own home in Kentucky a few miles from the old home farm.

The following home of the B’s was moved to a farm half mile north of Grant Park which enabled Pauline to board at home and attend school. One day in 1939 Scott and Bertha received a card from Mr. and Mrs. Preston Beauchamp announcing to birth of a daughter, Dorothy Jeanne on January 14, 1939.

That fall in answer to a letter from Opal, Imogene went to stay with her, and they could hardly wait until February when they went to bring Imogene home, to see their granddaughter.

In February 1939, the B’s moved to LePalinski’s farm a mile south of Grant Park. Here the children had to attend a rural school near their home.

That summer Pauline, Nellda, Dallas and Floris earned their first money by working in a truck garden, a job the older children had tried in 1931 and 1932.

In October of that year Opal and her family decided to try Illinois for a while and came to live in the home of the B’s. As the house was large there was plenty of room and were given room of their own.

Russell’s home became a sad one that fall for Alice had developed Sugar Diabetes and the doctor’s report was that she might live a long while but that she might die within a few months. Doing their best to hide their worry from each other the couple made the most of everyday, trying to make their time together happy in spite of their fear. But not for long for on January 24, 1940, Alice who was suffering from a bad cold dropped into a coma. Russell was called home from work and she was taken to Saint Mary’s hospital in Kankakee, Illinois. That night Scott and Bertha were called to her bedside and in spite of all that specialists could do she slipped away. Alice Marie went to live with her grandparents and Russell, broken-hearted, sold the most of his furniture, keeping her sewing machine and hope chest for Alice Marie, and came back home to live, visiting his daughter every weekend.

With all the family at home again, they soon settled down into the old routine.

That summer the older children, all worked including Opal while Bertha took care of Dorothy and her own little ones.

Opal decided that fall that her family belonged in Kentucky and back they went in October. The B’s had also stayed long enough in one hive so on November 11 they moved to a better house the Lambert Van Buren home about two miles away.

Pauline graduated from high school May 1941, and that morning as the children were working in the truck asparagus, Bertha came to the door and announced that she had a letter from Opal telling of the birth of Richard Scott on May 26. Imogene was again in attendance and spent the summer with her grandmother on the old home place. Russell had that summer kept company with Deloris Heldt and on October 7, 1941 they were married. After a supper at Deloris’ home they left for a honeymoon among relatives, they settled down with her parents. That same summer Nellda became engaged to Joe Cantway and on January 31, 1942, they drove to Kehoka, Missouri, and were married by Justice of the Peace. As they drove home it began snowing and the roads were soon blocked so that they were forced to wait for them to be cleared. A wedding supper prepared by Bertha began to get cold as the guests waited, until finally they ate without the bride and groom. At last they arrived and the wedding cake cut and congratulations offered. Nellda transferred from Grant Park to Momence, Illinois, school as that was her husband’s home. They soon moved into a home of their own in Momence and she received her high school diploma that spring.

Russell and Deloris received notice from the stork that fall to be prepared for the arrival of their first child. In September Pauline spent several days with Deloris whenever it was necessary for Russell and her parents to be gone. On the morning of September 23, spending the night there she was awakened by Russell with the statement that they were leaving for the hospital and his father-in-law would take Pauline home. All day Bertha and Pauline waited anxiously for news but to no avail. The next morning, however, as Pauline stated to the neighbors truck garden to work, Russell drove in with the announcement that he had a son, Gerald Scott, born late the preceding night. In due time Deloris and her child were brought home and Pauline was asked to stay and help out for a few weeks as she was unable to be up for some time. This task delighted Pauline for she dearly loved babies and was permitted to care for Gerald a great deal.

The B’s had been lucky up to this time. None of them had been drafted into the army since the country had declared war on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In February 1943, Joe answered the call of duty and enlisted in the United States Army. Nellda moved back home and spent the next two years with the B’s and her husband’s parents.

The younger children were all in school now and in May 1944, Dallas was one of the graduates of the Grant Park School.

Scott and Bertha began to long for their old home in Kentucky once again; seeing in memory the rutted road leading down a hill and around a hill to the old white homestead where they had spent many happy evenings, tired after a days plowing or hoeing, sitting on the veranda and listening to the locusts in the maple trees on the lawn while farther off, the chorus of katy-dids and frogs could be heard; now and then the call of the whippoor-will joined the concert.

By summer of 1944 their minds were made up and they purchased the old home place and moved back to it in October.

Scott and Pauline returned to Illinois and worked at their jobs until the week before Christmas. Then, with the car packed with gifts and goodies, they left for home where a joyful reunion awaited them. A large Christmas tree cut on their own farm was decorated with tinsel and brightly colored balls and mountains of pretty packages soon began to grow under it.

Christmas day dawned bright and clear and amid shouts of "Merry Christmas," the children ran for their stockings which were hanging at the fireplace, filled to capacity with small gifts, candy and fruit. A delicious was soon prepared and after what seemed hours to the youngsters, the family at last gathered around the tree and the gifts were distributed each one receiving something he or she had hoped for.

The holidays over, the B’s settled down to work and soon the sound of axes and hoes announce the begging of their new life, for there were fields which had been allowed to grow up in bushes and must now be cleared before a crop could be planted. Rejoicing in the outdoor life, after years spent in a factory, Scott was soon ready to plow and with the coming of spring, his fields were planted busily and happily engaged in farming once again.

There was great rejoicing that next spring on May 8, 1945, the German Army had surrendered and the war in Europe was over. Nelda’s hopes of soon seeing her husband again were short lived though, for there were rumors that he might go on to Japan to fight. For weeks there was no work from him and worn out with worry and grief Nellda came home. Then one day, a call came from his mother saying there was a package there for Nellda from over seas. Although she was in bed with influenza, Nellda immediately dressed and took the next bus to her mother-in-law’s home. Among the odds sent in the package was a picture of her husband and a letter followed in a few days.

Victory! The Japs surrender! The war is over! Were the headlines in the papers all over the United States on August 14 of that year. Nellda, on a bus coming back to Kentucky, could hardly believe her eyes when, as they passed through a large town horns began to blow, sirens shrilled and bells rang, and the street was blocked with people celebrating, she was forced to stop and the driver called out to someone to ask the cause of the festivities. "The war is over!" was the joyful reply. All over the country the next day church bells called people to thanksgiving services.

During the summers that Imogene had been spending with her grandmother before the B’s came home, she had become interested in neighbor’s son. Charlie Day had taken her home from prayer meeting and pie suppers several times and had become very attentive. He had joined the armed forces and in the summer of 1945 had a furlough during which he and Imogene had quarreled and stopped seeing each other, so the family was very much surprised when, on November 3 during another furlough they were married. After a short two weeks together, Charlie had to go back to camp to await his discharge, which was not long in coming through.

About this time Nellda received word from Joe that he was returning to the United States and would be discharged on arrival. In December, his discharge papers in his wallet, he arrived in Momence were Nellda was eagerly awaiting him.

Both reunited couples spent that Christmas at the B’ hive in a daze of happiness.

That spring Floris, who had entered Short Creek School when the family had moved back to Kentucky, finished her senior year and received her diploma. A few days later she left for Illinois where she started working in a textile factory and boarding with Nellda in Momence.

It all started one day when Wilma fell on her way home from school and skinned her knee badly. Pauline had been working but, as she must leave next week to be at Russell’s during the stork’s expected visit, she planned to spend a week at home, resting and preparing her clothes for the trip. She and Wilma were sleeping together and as she was afraid of hurting Wilma’s knee again she was awake when Grandmother called Bertha. She was quite ill and Bertha gave her some medicine which was administered every three hours. The fire was built up and Bertha relaxed in a chair waiting until it was time for the next dose when the phone rang at about midnight. As a night call could be put through only in case of emergency Bertha rushed to answer. "Imogene’s sick," was the message, "can you come?" Bertha had known that her daughter expected a child, but not for another month and she answered without hesitation, "I’ll be there as soon as possible." Pauline was up by now and a neighboring aunt was called to come and help attend Grandmother, as Bertha didn’t want to leave Pauline alone with her. Scott was aroused and by the time Aunt Dolly arrived they were ready to leave. Pauline and Aunt Dolly settled down to wait and give Grandmother’s medicine when the hour came for it. All through the small hours of the morning they waited. Six o’clock came and still no word. Pauline prepared breakfast and was busy with the dishes when finally Scott returned with the news that Charley Boyd had arrived that morning, Monday, October 28, 1946. Bertha remained all day and Pauline and Dolly busied themselves about the house until evening when Dallas was taken to stay with Imogene and Bertha returned home. Dallas remained in attendance until Friday night when she had contracted influenza and Pauline was asked to take her place. Pauline had planned to leave for Illinois on Saturday but decided to pass from her trip until Monday and spend the next two days with her new nephew.

On Monday she returned home packed her clothes and left for Illinois. After a week with Nellda in her home in Momence, she went on to Russell’s in Stegger and settled down to await the stork’s arrival, spending her weekends with Nellda. Thanksgiving came and still no baby. Russell’s family planned to spend the day with his wife’s folks so Pauline had Thanksgiving dinner with Nellda. Finally, a month later than expected, Sharon Lynn was born on December 9, 1946. Deloris was still not able to do her work at Christmas so Pauline was forced to miss this holiday at home for the first time in her life. As Nellda was unable to make the trip to Kentucky, Pauline spent the holidays with her.

On February 1, Pauline arrived at home and after a month’s rest took over the household work while Bertha and Wilma made the trip to Illinois to be with Nellda whose daughter, Paula Jo was born on March 1, 1947.

In due time Bertha returned home and on May 19, 1947 Pauline and Dallas started work in the clothing factory in Leitchfield. In July Dallas became tired of her job and quit to help Scott on the farm. She had been keeping company with J.V. Tubb for almost a year and on August 22, when Pauline returned home she was told that they had married that morning and were spending the night at Opal’s but would be home the next day. As it was a holiday and Pauline didn’t have to work, she and Bertha were planning a wedding dinner when they received a call from Floris, who had spent the night with Opal to have her best dress pressed. When she arrived the family learned that she and Charlie Blain, to whom she was engaged had decided to make this their wedding day. They would be married at Hartford and be back home for dinner. After they were gone Bertha and Pauline started to prepare a wedding dinner for both bridal couples. A three tiered cake was baked and decorated with a tiny bride and groom.

Soon the newly weds were back, the dinner served, and the evening passed happily. The next day, amidst congratulations and best wishes, the four young people left for the homes of the grooms. They were soon settled in their own homes happy in each other’s company.

And so we leave the B’s, Mother and Dad contentedly buzzing around the old home hive, Jack and Wilma enjoying their school work and play, Pauline engrossed in her work and all the others happy in their own little hives.

One evening that fall as Scott was cutting wood he was heard to exclaim, "I’ve cut my hand off!" Rushing out, Bertha and Pauline found that he had almost served a finger. Seeing its condition, Bertha told Jack to get the car while she ran to change her dress and get some bandages. Scott was taken to the doctor who sent him to the hospital at Glasgow to have his hand dressed. Fearing infection, the doctor in charge insisted on his staying several days to take penicillin shots. It was some months before the hand was well enough to use and the loss of time and money was quite a blow to the B’s.

Wilma was ill. The baby and life of the family had been feeling slightly sick for some time but on Thursday morning, June 3, 1948, she was too ill to eat breakfast and was taken to Dr. Bland in Leitchfield. Kidney trouble or possibly appendicitis he said and gave her some medicine. At home that evening she seemed better and Scott and Bertha were much relieved but at ten thirty that night she began suffering again and was taken back to the doctor who immediately sent her on to Baptist Hospital in Louisville for an appendectomy. Early that morning of June 4^th, she underwent the operation, and for hours her life was in jeopardy as the doctors fought to kill the poison of a ruptured appendix with penicillin. Glucose and blood plasma were administered for several days until finally Bertha, who stayed at her bedside, once more breathed freely as she saw that her youngest was going to survive. After ten days she was brought home where a joyous welcome awaited her. Soon she was laughing and playing as much as ever and the B’s hive resounded with happiness once more.