Farewell Foggy Bottom

By Dale McMillan

The Horn family, from the Foggy Bottom community on the banks of the Neches River in Deep East Texas, are a proud family. They are descendants of some of the earliest settlers in this very remote area. Foggy Bottom folks are known to be clannish and the Horns are viewed as a backwoods clan by the residents of the nearby town, Pine Hill.
Anthony Hall, the bankers son, from Pine Hill is in love with Beth Horn, the daughter of the most prominent family in Foggy Bottom. Beth is a brilliant and vivacious young lady who is a premed student at the University of Texas, but the residents of Pine Hill still see her as that little Fog Head kid who sold peas from the Horn pea patch..
The prejudice on both sides of the river creates serious problems especially between the Pine Hills mayors son, Bobby Dodd and Thomas Horn. A story of trials, faith, integrity and perseverance unfolds as each of the Horn family tries to merge with their prejudiced laden environment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493143757

Dale McMillan

Dale McMillan retired from a long career in the petrochemical industry. After building a home, shop, three barns, and restoring a log cabin built originally in 1854, he tried his hand at writing fiction at age 67. He has written 17 other books since that first release. He lives on a small sand hill farm just outside Henderson, Texas with his invalid wife, Janell and two dogs, Marcie and Sherlock.

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Copyright © 2013 by Dale McMillan.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2013921138

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4931-4374-0

                Softcover       978-1-4931-4373-3

                Ebook            978-1-4931-4375-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 11/23/2013

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CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

To my brother Paul McMillan, my friend and encourager.

PROLOGUE

F oggy Bottom was a small community deep in the Piney Woods area of East Texas in a part of the state known as the Big Thicket. It consisted of a church and cemetery, North’s General Merchandise Store, and a collection of about 25 families, black and white. The community was a rural area adjacent to the small town of Pine Hill, thus kids from the Foggy Bottom Community went to Pine Hill Consolidated Schools. Much friction still existed between the town’s people and the residents of the outlying communities, since Pine Hill politicians had years earlier forced the closing of the little independent schools in the outlying areas in order to increase the state funding of Pine Hill School.

That resentment on both sides was slowly dying, but its demise was slow in coming, and some folks had to die off before it was laid to rest. The Foggy Bottom Community was becoming more civilized with the arrival of modern conveniences after WWII. Electricity was brought across the Neches River just prior to the start of the war and in 1950 Rex Horn crossed the river with a phone line, which the rural co-op took over after Rex ran the line to his parents’ home.

Mechanized farming was slowly but surely pushing the small cotton farmer out of the cotton farming business and the cotton gin in Pine Hill announced that 1954 would be their last year to process cotton. The year was 1951. Rex Horn was six months away from finishing his two year commitment in the Army. Beth Horn was beginning her third year of premed training at The University of Texas; Mark Horn was starting his second year at Baylor; Thomas was a senior in high school; Mary was a freshman in high school, and Merle was in seventh grade.

Lonnie Horn had shifted his cotton allotment to Jake Grindle. Jake was farming Lonnie’s farm in a share crop arrangement, with the help of a black man, Matt Pope. Since the cotton gin was going to close, Jake would be forced to give up cotton farming. He and Lonnie had not decided what direction their farming venture would take. Lonnie’s focus had shifted to raising hog in the woods. The profit from this venture was almost 100 percent, since the hogs foraged on acorns from the numerous oak trees in the Horn forest.

The Horns still raised corn each year, and Thomas and Mary had taken over Beth’s pea patch which was a supplement to the family income. Lonnie was sharing the hog raising profit with Mark and putting that into his college fund. Each child had a college fund which was started when they were five years old. This had been a ritual with Lonnie with all of his children. When they reached five, he went with them to the bank and introduced them to John Hall, the president of the bank and Mr. Hall with much pomp and ceremony set up a bank account for the kids. John Hall loved these visits to his bank. It gave him opportunity to become acquainted with each of the Horn children. The Horn children each received $50.00 on their fifth birthday. This was the seed money for their college fund. Lonnie and Martha instilled values in their children at a very early age. They had an uncanny ability to teach children the value of, and the joy of working at a young age. Observing Rex, Beth and Mark, John recognized what a tremendous advantage this was for the Horn clan.

John Hall always spent time with the children, probing to find out their interest. He was always amazed that even at this early age, each was different. Different personalities, and different interest. The one thing that amazed him the most was that none were shy. Martha instilled into each one that they were special and important to God and important to their family. John had learned some skills himself, since he had met Rex Horn years earlier. He had those skills honed to a very sharp edge when the last Horn child, Merle, set up his account. John learned at that time that Merle at age five, already knew more about birds and their habitat than most adults. He was fascinated by that and would be watching Merle for years to come.

Mary Ann Anderson, a beautiful, sophisticated young lady, Rex met on a train trip to Detroit Michigan to pick up a bus chassis in December of 1944, was now Mrs. Rex Horn and teaching math in Pine Hill High School. Mary Ann was slowly but surely carving out her niche in the Horn Family and the Foggy Bottom community. Although looked on as something like royalty, she was becoming well loved by all who knew her.

Anthony Hall, the banker’s son was playing football at Baylor University. He was a second string quarterback, but still popular on campus and with the Baylor girls. Unfortunately for the girls, Anthony was in love with Beth Horn, who was at UT, and he did not develop a serious relationship with any of the girls on campus. Beth was still holding out and would not become seriously involved with Anthony. She had lofty goals for a little country girl, but she had one thing very much in her favor. She was brilliant, and this was rapidly becoming recognized on Campus. She also had a mentor. Beth lived in the home of an elderly retired professor, Dr. Murphy, whose wife had suffered from a very debilitating stroke. Beth kept house for the professor for room and board, and she also nurtured Mrs. Murphy. Dr. Murphy sung Beth’s praises to all who would listen.

Life was still hard in Foggy Bottom, but electricity and a telephone were making things easier. Lonnie embraced all new tools which made jobs quicker and easier. Martha was more old school. She gave up some of her old arts and crafts, reluctantly. She still made lye soap in an old black wash pot. Even after they purchased a freezer, she still insisted that they can a calf each year. Lonnie still smoked hams and sold a few.

Yes, life was hard in Foggy Bottom, but it was still good. Since Agnes Williams had taken her own life, gossip and backbiting had very nearly ceased in the community. Martha often sat at her machine and wept over this fact. She had tried so very hard to befriend Agnes; she simply could not crack through her shell. Martha felt like a dismal failure over this, coupled with the fact that three of her children were gone from home, she had to fight depression over that, but she and Mary Ann had become like mother/daughter. It was a great time to be growing up in Foggy Bottom.

CHAPTER 1

R ex Horn was drafted into the Army in January of 1950. He took his basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas in January and February and finished the first week of March. Rex had never been so cold in his life. He bivouacked in the snow, as well as going through the infiltration course, also in the snow. When he rolled over on his back to slide under the barbwire entanglement, which was part of the training, snow went down the back of his collar. Rex was older than most recruits, since he had finished college. He was not as enamored with this training as some of the younger recruits.

The fact that Rex was a college graduate became known to most of the training cadre and that caused him to be singled out for all of the dirty details. Much to their chagrin, that didn’t seem to bother Rex. Having worked hard all of his life, he preferred to be busy at something, even if it was scrubbing garbage cans, however, it was soon discovered that Rex was a good and fast typist and he was often called out of details to fill in at the company commander’s office. The company commander liked Rex, and soon all of the dirty details stopped.

This involvement in the company commander’s office turned out to be a very rich blessing, because it resulted in Rex being assigned an MOS, military occupational status, which landed him in a quartermasters company at Camp Polk, Louisiana after training. Immediately after basic training, Rex was sent to quartermaster school at Camp Lee, Virginia. In the spring of that year, Camp Lee became Ft. Lee, a permanent quartermaster training center. After eight weeks of quartermaster training, Rex was sent to Camp Polk, about 80 miles from Foggy Bottom. Camp Polk opened and closed several times after WWII ended. This kept quartermaster support of the camp in a constant state of flux, but with the United States involvement in the Korean Conflict beginning in June of 1950, Camp Polk again became a busy place.

Since Rex and Mary Ann could visit each other every other weekend, Mary Ann decided to keep her math teaching job in Pine Hill. Those jobs sometimes opened up only after a teacher retired. She knew it might be another 25 years before that job would be available again.

Beth Horn was excelling at UT and becoming recognized as a top notch student, especially in the science department. Her shabby background in science from her high school days only slightly slowed her progress and she caught up very quickly. Her reading comprehension and speed were off the chart. Professors loved her. She was bright and beautiful.

Dr. Murphy loved Beth like a daughter. His own daughter was having marital problems which came to a head at the beginning of the third year after Beth moved into the Murphy’s home. Joslyn Murphy Adams began divorce proceeding six weeks after Beth third year in the Murphy’s home as their housekeeper. She applied for a fellowship to work on her doctorate at UT and was accepted. Some shifting around was required, but Beth took a small side room in the Murphy’s home and the details were soon worked out, so that Joslyn could move back home. Joslyn was a bit jealous of Beth at the beginning of their relationship, but that soon faded. Joslyn observed Beth with her mother and her heart melted.

Mrs. Murphy would become restless and the nurse could not get her to settle down. Beth would come in and start talking to her. The old lady’s eyes would search for her and Beth would get down close to her and talk soothingly to her until she was able to figure out what was troubling her. Often, it turned out to be lack of circulation in some part of her body and Beth would experiment until she figured out what was wrong. Often she would sit and read to her until she fell asleep. That often did not take long. Beth discovered that she could read a few poems and then read the 23th psalm and Mrs. Murphy would fall into a deep and restful sleep.

Just after the beginning of Beth’s fifth semester at UT, she came in from school and found Mrs. Murphy tremendously antsy and nothing seemed to settle her down. Beth began to work with her and soon discovered that she was in great pain. She informed Dr. Murphy that Mrs. Murphy needed a doctor. He and Joslyn had been working with her for nearly two hours.

He asked, Why, Beth?

I think she has had another stroke.

Dr. Murphy looked at Joslyn and she looked back at him. They looked at the on duty nurse. Dr. Murphy asked, Why didn’t we think of that?

Beth took her hand and asked, Mrs. Murphy, does you head hurt?

The old lady squeezed Beth’s hand until it hurt. She had no idea that she still had that much strength. Beth reached over and kissed her on the forehead. We will get the doctor here to give you something for pain.

Mrs. Murphy opened her eyes, focused on Beth and for the second time in two years, she spoke, Thank you, Beth. The only other time she had spoken was when she first tasted Beth’s caramel pie. At that time, she opened her eyes and said a single word, Good.

Tears rolled down Beth’s cheeks, as she stood looking at the old lady. Dr. Murphy rushed to the phone and called the doctor who had been treating Mrs. Murphy for the past several years. The doctor informed, I will be there in 10 minutes, and he was. He rushed in and began to examine her. He turned to Dr. Murphy, shook his head and stated, She has had another stroke. I do not think there is anything we can do. Do you want me to put her in the hospital? She will need life support soon.

Dr. Murphy asked, Can you keep her comfortable here. She did not want to be kept alive artificially. We have discussed this.

Yes, I can give her enough morphine to keep her from suffering. James, I hate to tell you this, but it is a matter of hours.

Just don’t let her suffer, Dr. Murphy responded.

The full impact of what Mrs. Murphy had said, calling Beth by name, hit Dr. Murphy suddenly. No one realized that she knew enough to even know Beth Horn’s name, yet she had responded and called her by name. It suddenly became apparent why she had responded to Beth reading to her. She had been aware of her condition and aware of those around her. She simply could not communicate. Beth’s compassionate and caring heart had reached out to this woman and made an effort to comfort.

Dr. Bolen, the family physician gave Mrs. Murphy a sedative in an injection. Shortly thereafter she slipped deeper into a comatose condition. Two hours later she died. Beth worried about the injection. She could not help but wonder if it contributed to Mrs. Murphy’s death. This would plague her for years and follow her into her career. She called home and Martha sensed that something was troubling Beth. She insisted that she and Lonnie go to Austin for the funeral to support Beth. Martha understood that Beth had become emotionally involved in the Murphy’s life. Lonnie went to the bank to withdraw money for their trip and he ran into John Hall. He told him of Mrs. Murphy’s death. John called Anthony and Anthony called Beth.

When Beth heard Anthony’s voice on the phone, she fell apart. She could not have told you why, but she feared it might indicate that she was beginning to care very deeply for Anthony Hall. She tried to chalk this up, simply to the emotional stress of the moment, but she had to admit to herself that she wanted very much to fall into Anthony Hall’s arms.

Anthony sensed a change in Beth. She sounded vulnerable on the phone. Football season was in full bloom, but Anthony got in his car and drove to Austin. He found the Murphy’s home and knocked on their door. Joslyn answered the door; Anthony asked, Is this the Murphy residence?

Joslyn answered a curt, Yes.

Anthony then asked, Is Beth Horn here?

Yes. Whom may I say is calling?

Anthony Hall.

Joslyn went to Beth’s room and taped on the door. Beth came to the door. She had obviously been crying. Joslyn was deeply touched that Beth cared that deeply for her invalid mother.

Joslyn quietly informed, Beth, there is an Anthony Hall here to see you.

Beth gushed, Here! Anthony is here.

Joslyn smiled, Yes sweetheart, he is here.

Beth could not believe that Anthony had driven down from Waco. She quickly tried to comb her hair, and Joslyn noticed that she tried to smooth out her dress before she exited the room. Joslyn was thinking, I believe the ice water in her veins have thawed just a bit.

What Beth could not know was that Anthony was as apprehensive about this meeting as she was. She rushed to him and fell into his arms. He squeezed her tight. His emotions were off the chart, Beth Horn needed his touch at this moment and he recognized that fact. It was the first indication that he had that Beth Horn needed someone else in her life.

Joslyn had followed Beth back to the foyer and she was observing this meeting. Beth looked up and saw her and she introduced her to Anthony. Anthony was skilled in social graces and he said all of the correct words to convey sincere condolences to Joslyn for the loss of her mother. Joslyn was impressed with Anthony. He was a very fine looking young man and she was very anxious to meet someone. She was a bit envious of Beth Horn at this moment.

Beth took Anthony by the hand and instructed, Come with me. I want you to meet Dr. Murphy.

Dr. Murphy was in the den with an Episcopal priest, his pastor, who would be officiating Mrs. Murphy’s funeral. Dr. Murphy was extremely surprised there was a young man is Beth’s life. That had been a well-kept secret. He was gracious to Anthony and Anthony exhibited social graces which were surprising to this cultured gentleman. Joslyn was also watching with raised eyebrows. In reality, Joslyn felt that she was considerably above Beth Horn, socially and intellectually. This was a huge mistake, which would soon surface.

Mrs. Murphy’s body was going to be cremated. That was something totally foreign to Beth Horn. This simply was not done in Foggy Bottom. Beth needed to discuss this with Martha. It seemed unchristian to her. The thought of this woman, whom she had cared for several months being cremated, did not set well with her. She did not raise the issue with Anthony, yet he had gotten to know Beth Horn well enough that he saw the worry lines in her face. Beth had to have everything orderly in her mind, and when a problem existed, two very small creases appeared in her forehead, almost unnoticeable, just above her nose. Anthony had picked that up back during the days when she was tutoring him in high school. He was intrigued by that even back then. He tried to extract the problem. He came close, but Beth clamed up, so he dropped it with the promise that she would write to him. He understood Beth very well. He knew that she might reveal the problem when she could think it through and put her thoughts in order.

Anthony did not stay long. Beth figured out right away that Anthony should not have come. He had a game that night. He would have lost his athletic scholarship if his coach had known he drove to Austin on a game day. Beth questioned him about this when he revealed that he had a game that evening. After a brief visit, she started trying to shush him away and back to Waco. He held Beth close to his heart before he left. She had to admit to herself that she felt good in his arms. She fussed at him for making the drive, but at the same time, he could tell that he had scored big points with Beth Horn. She was cuddly and warm and held his hand so tight that he had to admit that it hurt. That small hand was loaded with strength.

As Anthony drove back to Waco, tears streamed down his cheeks. Someone he loved was hurting and he could not fight back the tears. He wanted so badly to crack Beth Horn’s shell and to be allowed into her life. He was making progress, more progress than he knew, but it seems awfully slow to him.

Martha and Lonnie arrived about 11:00 a.m. They found the Murphy’s home and Joslyn answered the door again. Lonnie asked, Is this the Murphy’s home?

Curtly, Joslyn answered, Yes, what do you need?

Is Beth Horn here?

Just a minute!

Joslyn went to Beth’s room and rather caustically announced, Beth, there is someone else here to see you.

Beth had been crying since Anthony left, but she had regained control of her emotions. She rushed to the door. Mom, Dad! Come in.

After hugging her parents, Beth turned to Joslyn and stated, This is my parents.

Joslyn did not even greet them. She turned on her heal and left the room muttering under her breath, Just how many more of the Foggy Bottom people are going to show up.

Lonnie was livid. Martha was a little more understanding that Joslyn was stressed over her mother’s death. Beth simply said, Come back to my room.

When Lonnie and Martha arrived at Beth’s room, they were appalled. It was about seven feet by eight feet; barely room for a single bed. Beth had constructed a small desk using a sturdy cardboard box that she could use as a writing table. She had built some shelves using bricks she had found stacked by the back fence to separate them. There was a single cane bottom, ladder back chair in her room. One of her homemade quilts was on the bed which brightened up the room, and one of Mary’s pictures was on the wall.

Martha looked around the room and commented, This room is disgraceful, Beth.

Beth smiled, It is okay Mom. It was Joslyn’s idea, not Dr. Murphy’s. I just consider the source and moved on.

About this time, there was a tap on the door. Beth answered and found Dr. Murphy at the door.

He revealed, Beth, Joslyn said that your parents were here.

Yes, come in Dr. Murphy. He entered, and now the room was completely filled.

Beth stated, Dr. Murphy, this is my Mom and Dad, Lonnie and Martha Horn.

Dr. Murphy was very gracious. Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Horn, I am so happy to meet you.

Martha was gracious, but Lonnie did not speak. He was livid over Beth’s living arrangements. And he was afraid to open his mouth. He had no idea what might come out.

Dr. Murphy began extolling praise on Beth and relating how much her presence had meant to the family, since she had come to live in his home. Lonnie had kept his cool just as long as he could. He smiled a not so friendly smile at Dr. Murphy and commented, That is all pretty obvious from her quarters.

Dr. Murphy was stunned. He looked around the room and his eyes focused on the makeshift cardboard desk. That pierced his heart. He was aghast at what he saw. Oh Beth, we have to get you out of here.

Beth had recovered. She admonished, Now is not the time for that, Dr. Murphy. You have enough on your plate right now. Do you need to eat before you go to the church? I will get something together for you.

Turning to Martha, Beth asked, Mom, would you like to help?

Martha did not know whether to trust Lonnie with Dr. Murphy or not. She looked at him and he smiled, communicating that he would behave himself. She got his message. There was little food brought in. A former colleague of Dr. Murphy’s had a delicatessen deliver a meat tray for sandwiches. One of Mrs. Murphy’s friends had brought in a cake. That was all the food which had been contributed. This was so very much unlike the Foggy Bottom community where everyone in the community would have brought something. Beth had arisen early, since she could not sleep and baked Dr. Murphy’s favorite coconut pie.

Just as they were sitting down to lunch, Dr. Murphy’s son and daughter-in-law arrived from Dallas arrived. He was an M.D. in Dallas. He was quite different from Joslyn. He greeted the Horns warmly. Dr. Murphy had informed him that Beth realized first that Mrs. Murphy had suffered another stroke. He could not wait to ask how she recognized this.

He cornered Beth immediately and asked, Beth, how did you recognize that Mom had experienced another stroke.

Beth eyes scrunched up in deep thought and she revealed, Well, something didn’t seem right. When I spoke to her, she was only able to open one eye, and I noticed that her tongue seemed to be twisted, but for the first time ever, she spoke clearly to me. I think God gave her that speech for a very brief moment.

Young Dr. Murphy was an agnostic like his father, but in his years of practice, he had seen some miraculous things. He knew there was a spiritual element to the human animal. Beth’s revelation to him touched his heart. His eyes clouded. Thanks for being there with Mom when she needed you Beth. That was a very astute observation and one that most would have missed.

Both Martha and Lonnie heard this exchange. Martha and Beth busied themselves with feeding the family. Dr. Murphy tried to get the Horns to join them, but there is no way Lonnie Horn would have eaten one bite of food in this house. He had been insulted and he felt that his daughter had been mistreated. Lonnie was still very angry.

Shortly after the meal, the family went to the church for the service. Dr. Murphy tried to get them to join the family, but Lonnie would not give in. The service was not long and it seemed to Beth very impersonal. She had never been to a funeral which was not in Foggy Bottom church. In some ways she felt that the Episcopalian service was easier on the family, since it was more impersonal and formal. Beth finally had opportunity to discuss the cremation with Martha.

Martha explained, "Beth, in more traditional religious groups, which we are familiar to us, there is a reverence for the physical body, which relates to our belief in a bodily resurrection. On the other hand, the body decays anyhow. It is absent whether it is cremated or whether it decays naturally. Please do not let that trouble you. We believe that we are absent from the body and present with God when we die. Hold to that truth and do not worry about the cremation. This satisfied Beth. She was at peace after that. She had given her best effort in making Mrs. Murphy’s life better in the time spent with this family. That was all she had to give.

After the service, which ended about four p.m., The Murphys went to dinner before young Dr. Murphy and his wife drove back to Dallas. Dr. Murphy invited the Horns to dine with the family, but they declined and went out themselves. Martha was keeping Lonnie as far away from Joslyn as possible. He was still livid over Beth’s quarters and Joslyn’s comment. Dr. Murphy was well aware of this fact.

Lonnie and Martha spent the night in a motel and Beth stayed with them. Discussions of her living arrangements were high on their list of topics for discussion. Lonnie was ready for her to move out today.

Beth on the other hand informed, Dad, it does not bother me. I go to my room to study. It is so much better than the dorm. Joslyn does not bother me. She is just a little snob. She is hurting from her failed marriage. I imagine her ex-husband is relieved.

Lonnie finally calmed down, and then Martha asked the question which Beth dreaded, but knew was coming, since Martha was aware that Tony had driven down from Waco for only a few moments with Beth.

Beth, what is with you and Anthony?

Beth was slow to answer. Mom, Tony loves me.

And what about you? Do you love him?

There was one undeniable trait about Beth Horn. She was impeccably honest. She was slow to answer but then it burst through. Yes.

I thought so. Beth, you can’t keep pushing him away if you love him. You will kill that love if you do.

Beth admitted, Mom, I am terrified that I will lose him. I do love him very much. Anthony has changed. He has a compassionate heart. He is considerate; he is kind. He is above me socially. That is a problem. It will always be a problem in Pine Hill.

Beth, you do not have to come back to Pine Hill.

But that is where he belongs. He will eventually take over for his Dad, and that is as it should be.

Beth, you simply try too hard to plan things out. You are going to have to learn to loosen up and give things a chance to work out. If you love Anthony, you tell him so and give him a chance to know you.

Beth could not face her mother. She kept looking down at the floor. Martha reached over, took her face in her hands and lifted it to look directly into her eyes. Beth fell apart. She wept her heart out. She had lain awake at night picturing Anthony Hall in someone else’s arms. Martha had made her face a nagging problem in her life.

Lonnie and Martha left early the next morning, which was Sunday. Beth went back to the Murphy’s. Dr. Murphy met her when she came in and his first words were, Beth, we have to get you out of that dinky room. I did not realize it was so small.

Beth raised her hand, Now is not the time to discuss that Dr. Murphy. You are hurting and you need to get over that before we start changing things.

He was gracious and thanked Beth for her consideration. She went to her room, sat down at her desk and started a letter to Anthony. She wrote:

Dear Anthony,

I love you.

Love,

Beth

Beth folded the letter, placed it in an envelope, addressed and stamped it, carried it to the nearest mailbox, and dropped it in.

The letter was in Anthony’s mailbox Tuesday afternoon when he came in from class. When he discovered it was from Beth Horn, he rushed to his room and tore into it.

After he read it, he jumped up, and screamed, YES, YES, YES.

His roommate asked, What in the world is wrong with you? Anthony showed him the letter.

Jim Grimes looked at Tony and informed, That girl doesn’t waste words does she.

No, and that is what makes this so important. She means it.

It was so much like Beth Horn. She had something she wanted to say to Anthony; she said it; stuffed it into an envelope, and mailed it to him.

Anthony was bouncing off the wall. He had waited for three years to hear these words, and now he finally had them. He went to the phone and called his dad.

Mr. Hall answered the phone. First National Bank, John Hall speaking.

Dad, I just got a letter from Beth Horn.

Oh, it must be an important letter.

Very important, Dad.

What is in the letter, son?

John was afraid to ask this question. He was afraid that Beth just might have decided to send Anthony on down the road.

I will read it to you. ‘Dear Anthony, I love you, Beth Horn.

There was a pause and John asked, That’s it son. That is all she said.

That’s it, Dad. I think that is significant, don’t you.

Son, I think that is very significant. Oh, son. She really means it.

Dad, I think I am engaged, don’t you.

John had to laugh at his son. Son, that young lady does not make commitments lightly. I think you are very much engaged.

I just had to tell you, Dad. Please keep this under your hat. Don’t even tell Mom. I am afraid she would let it slip.

John Hall sat for a long time after the conversation ended. He never thought that his son would win Beth Horn. He was elated. He sat at his desk thinking about Beth. He could still see her, a five year old child, sitting across the desk from him, questioning how his bank was going to take care of her $50.00 deposit when she opened her account. He had looked at her balance recently and he was surprised that instead of going down, she was still adding money to her account. Dr. Murphy, in addition to her room and board, was giving her $20.00 per week for keeping house for him. Beth was saving over half that. He smiled at that thought.

Anthony’s next call was to the Murphys. Beth was not in. She had gone grocery shopping for the Murphys. Dr. Murphy answered the phone. Anthony identified himself and asked if Beth was in.

No, Mr. Hall, she has gone grocery shopping for me. She has taken over that chore for me, and she is good at that task. If you need to speak with her, where can she reach you?

Oh, sir, I will call back in an hour. Do you think she will be back by then?

I am expecting her back anytime now.

I will call back later. Please don’t tell her I called. She might run away.

Oh, it is that bad, is it?

It is that bad. She is a very complex little lady.

Young man, I am glad that you understand that. That is one little filly that you will never put a saddle on, but if you can hang on, it will be an interesting ride.

I see that you do know Beth Horn. Those were my mother’s sentiments when she first met Beth.

Yes, I do know her and she has just walked in the door. I will pass the phone off to her.

Dr. Murphy called Beth to the phone. She answered, Hello, this is Beth.

When Anthony heard Beth’s voice, he could not hold back the tears. Oh Beth, I received your letter. Beth, I love you too, but you already know that.

I still like to hear it, Tony.

Well, you will hear it often from me. Does this mean that you will marry me, Beth?

Not today Tony, but eventually, if you will wait for me.

Are we engaged, Beth?

I am.

Then, so am I. Oh Beth, I want to hold you so badly. Oh, Beth!

Tony, I do not want an engagement ring. All I want is a gold band when we get married, like my mother has.

Beth, are you sure?

I’m sure. I know you. You would go out, hock the farm and buy some gaudy thing to go on my finger. I do not want that, Tony. All I want is you and a simple gold band.

"Oh Beth, my head is going to explode. Oh,