The Wish Book

By Marlynn Groholske

Dear readers, My story is set during the Great Depression . A hundred dollars doesn't seem like a lot of money now, but back then, men were working for ten cents an hour, and sugar was ten cents a pound. In the '50s when I entered the workforce, minimum wage was twenty-five cents an hour. So, we learned, take care of your pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781643503974

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The Wish Book

Marlynn Groholske

Copyright © 2018 Marlynn Groholske

All rights reserved

First Edition

Page Publishing, Inc

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018

ISBN 978-1-64350-396-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64350-397-4 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Sarah well remembered the day she got her wish book.

The Halsteads were just coming home from a trip to town where they had done their shopping and trading at the Wade General Store. Grandma had picked up the mail, then went over to the dressmaker to visit and return an apron pattern. Dad Halstead had hurried everyone around. It looked like rain, and he didn’t want to get caught in a thunderstorm as the horses surely couldn’t outrun the deluge. As the rain started to pour, Dad Halstead turned full gallop into Bill Tanner’s farm. Bill, having watched the coming storm, ran out and pushed open the big barn doors. At least the team had shelter. The family, one and all, ran to the Tanner farmhouse for cover. Horace took hold of his mother’s arm and made sure she was under cover, then saw to the rest of his family. His wife and daughter were laughing as they hurried along. Mrs. Tanner welcomed her soaking-wet company and put the coffeepot on.

The Tanners’ eighteen-year-old daughter, Berna, wondered how to entertain the ten-year-old neighbor girl. Sarah had already found a treasure. She had spied a big thick book lying on Berna’s night table. What is this big book, Berna?

Honey, that’s my wish book! Berna went on to explain to Sarah that the book was a mail order catalog from Wards. The pages were full of pictures—everything from teapots to houses for purchase! Berna proceeded to show Sarah how to use the wish book. Berna was able to show Sarah everything, from how to fill out an order form, figuring tax, to purchasing a money order to pay for the items. Sarah marveled at all the treasures found between the pages just waiting to be bought! Berna was amused how enthralled the little girl was by the wish book.

The thunderstorm got steadily worse, and it became clear that the Halsteads were not going to be leaving anytime soon for their own home. Horace accompanied Bill to the barn to help with the evening chores and tend to his own horses. The overnight stay with the Tanners proved to be great fun for both families.

The next day, the Tanners asked their guests to come along to church with them. Horace had to decline, saying, Pa’s home alone. He can only do so much, and we’re wanting to get for home.

While goodbyes and thanks were being exchanged, Berna made a quick decision. She ran into the house and grabbed her Wards catalog and placed it on Sarah’s lap. Smiling, Berna said, We get a new one every year!

Now, Berna! What are we going to use in the outhouse?! exclaimed her mother!

Sarah treasured her catalog and spent the hours she was free from chores to pour over her own wish book and even more hours thinking how she was going to earn some money! Sarah knew that her family was poor; she’d realized that by the tender age of six. Sarah and her