<TITLE>11. Par 38-40</TITLE>L-38  And then, when... A little later on along, I remember then, the old house where it stood. I look at that old house and I thought, "Oh, my, isn't that strong. How wonderful, what the structure of it is." I said, "That house will be there for many generations." I was passing by just before I come down here, and they had the housing projects built there now. Nothing to represent...
I remember the old field out through there where we--brother and I used take and catch those little old meadowlarks, go out and try to get them out in the field. Run down through there... And my, my, you don't know what I'd give to get to run down that path again barefooted, to meet dad when he come across the field: pick one up in one arm, one the other, walk with us to the house. Oh, my, those golden days.
I remember when dad, standing out there... And I thought, "Oh, how great, how this all is." Many of you have similar experiences, but them cities is passing away. Those houses are gone. Here where the old spring where I used to lay down and drink cold water...?... in there no more. We have nothing earthly here that'll last very long.

L-39  Notice, down there toward the school... Oh, how I remember going to school, those great days. I remember dad and mother used to go to town on Saturday night. Us kiddies would want to go with them. And they'd pay their grocery bill. Pop made a whole seventy-five cents a day. Great money then, but he had to feed five children on it.
And look, all of you know from my testimony, when I'm telling things, whether it's good or bad, I've got to be truthful and honest. You'll know it at the judgment, though I know it here. My father'd drink very, very heavy. Irish and he just... Fact, it's what killed him.

L-40  Notice, and I remember when he would come in, and we'd go to town on Saturday night. We'd all get in a little old Jersey wagon, go to town, pay the grocery bill. We'd wrap up in blankets if it was wintertime. In the summertime we'd set on some straw. We'd stop down at the corner, the old feed store...?... And I remember when they'd pay their grocery bill, pop would get a sack full of candy for a treat. And he'd bring it out. That was for us boys. Boy, there'd be five little pair of blue eyes looking at that sack of candy, and every stick... That old peppermint candy was good. And every stick must be broke equally. And if there'd happened to be one that'd come up not enough sticks, every eye see that would go just exactly right. Yes, sir. And we'd set there and divided up that candy, and we would eat it. And I would sometimes try to play when I'd suck on my piece of candy awhile, and put it in my pocket, and keep it. And Monday mom would say, "William."
I'd say, "Yes, ma'am."
"Come get me a bucket of water."
I'd say to my brother, "Humpy, I'll let you suck on this piece of candy if you'll go get that bucket of water for me." Oh, I let him have two licks off of it. And I'd run. It was easy day for me, if I could just resist the temptation of eating that candy. Old peppermint sticks, do you remember it? It was good. Oh, my. I guess I could go out tomorrow and buy me a box of Hershey's, but it would never taste like that. That's the best candy I ever eat. And we'd keep it over, you know. And we'd hire one another about [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.]... limited amount of food and stuff with what we could bill. And listen...?... mama...


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