THE BEGINNING

I'm sending you a story I'm sure Mother wrote as she was staying in Miami with Billie. (Nellie/Wm>Billie) Billie sent this story to me from Miami. I forgot about it; then cleaning out my desk not long ago I found it. Bill in the story is Dad as his name was William and was usually called Bill. Ellen in the story is Mother. She hated that name Nellie and had wished her parents had named her Ellen instead (I like Ellen better too.) Mother didn't type, so perhaps Billie typed it for her. I didn't know Billie typed. I thought Mildred, Reatha and myself was the only ones that typed. I'm so rusty at typing it would no doubt take forever for me to type a letter. The Wilber in the story was Willie Wolf. Mother said she was in love with Willie Wolf, but when she told her mother that Dad (Bill) proposed they began preparing for the wedding.

When the cow kicked Mother and brought Viola on she said that (she) only weighed 1 ½ pounds. She told me that Viola was so small she could lie on Dad's hand from his first finger across to his wrist. She said she looked like a skeleton. She must have been a 5 month old baby. I weighed 3 pounds and I was a 7 month old baby. Viola was born April 6. I was born April 8th. So you see we was both born in the spring.

Billie called the story of Mother and Dad, "The Beginning of a Large Herd", but I don't like that. I'd name it something else. I thought of a better name in bed the other night but didn't write it down, so I forgot what it was. I think a name such as the following is better than what Billie called it. Sounds like a herd of cattle.

A Farmer Needs Boys
A Farmer's Wife Needs Girls
Girls Are Nice
Where's the Boys?
Nine Girls Oh Boy

In the story Ruth Black was my grandmother. Her name was Ruth Bryant.

Dorothy Burdett Fuerst (Nellie/Wm>Dorothy)

Editor's Note: Generally I proofread contributions to the website and try to catch errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation. (Even the great Stephen King employs the services of an army of proofreaders.) I will transcribe Grandma Nellie Bryant-Burdett's story as it is written. I feel that the occasional departures from standard English are as precious as the rest of the writing. My only change from the typed story is to transcribe it into upper and lower case when the original is typed all in capitals. Since the title may have been added by Billie Burdett, I will simply call the story…

THE BEGINNING by Nellie Bryant/Burdett

Bill and Ellen was raised on neighboring farms. They met romantically when Bill came to her folks farm during harvest time with his father's thrashing machine. A brilliant and hard working farmer of well to do parents, who owned a two story brick home on a well kept farm, the sight of which would make any owner puff up with pride. Word gets around among country folks, Bill was considered a fine catch for any woman, with his fine sleek and well curried horse and his surry with the finest trim and fancy gagets found in these parts. He owned the best bicycle too. "Look Mother", sighed Ellen at the sight of his straight, chiseled nose, his light blue eyes and soft brown hair, "Isn't he tall and handsome?" With an air of sterness yet a deep underlying understanding Ruth Black chided her daughter, "Now Ellen shame on your fickle heart you know your engaged to Wilber." If Ellen had eyes in the back of her head or would have turned around quick enough she would have saw the good natured half smile on her mother's thin lips and the glint of mischief in her soft brown eyes and would have been able to read her real and true thoughts. Ruth Black was a jewel of a woman, a regular humanitarian. She had done a fine job of raising a large family and managing the business end of farming for her husband was not a farmer until she made one of him but an educated fool as she sometimes thought of him when she became provoked at him. His lifes ambition was to study to be a doctor but he had met Ruth, loved and married her and lived her way of life. Tho she never realized it, he was frustrated because of it.

George Black met his neighbor with a hand shake and nervously bussled around like an old woman social climbing as was his natural gesturings. In comparison to Bill he looked like a miget in height. Of course his age had put a Saint Nick belly on him which was very becoming to his disposition. Bill knew just what to do and how to efficiently order the helpers around to get the job done so he ignored his neighbors inconsistent suggestions silently with the diplomacy of a true Englishman and went about doing the job his own way.

PART TWO

Inside the frame farm dwelling, unlike her secretlove's abode, was an umble atmosphere, a sense of hominess and comfort. Ellen rushed upstairs to comb her hair. A clean apron was snatched out of the bureau drawer. She took a quick look into the mirror hoping she looked suitable to his fancy. Ellen was not conceited in the least, but to the contrary, felt socially beneath the one she now hoped to get to know better. Her parents were not poverty stricken in a sense of the word. They were land rich. A practical person was her mother who never lived for show as did the Byrds. Ellen lacked clothes of frills and finery yet had strong and well tailored clothing to go to church in. Clothes that would stand a good ole fashion washing her mother felt. She ran the home and farm as efficienty in her way as did Bills father. "You can never have finery sitting on your ass" he drilled into his children. His farm showed they obeyed the man to the letter. The picture sight of it proved they all put real hard work and perseverance, sterness of purpose and real ingenuity into the farm and reaped the benefits. Old Man Byrd's choice of a second wife showed he dealt with practical judgement when he married his young housekeeper with the pretense of saving her reputation, after the death of his first who had born him four children. Not that she was hard to take, a beautiful auburn haired young orphan girl of seventeen with a bastard son to raise. She had worked out in peoples homes doing house work for her living. One of her employers had violated her chastity when his wife was due to give birth. Isabell was only fifteen at the time. She was of French decent. Her parents had died in an epidemic, she escaped because she had been staying with her grandmother. She was orphaned at the age of twelve, her grandmother died a year later, friends took her into their home but used her to slave for them. So her fate was hard work all her life. She was used to it and although she had been driven from pillar to post with no home of her own she had a healthy temper which made her all the more desirable to the beastly or sexual desires of the male species. Due to her past record as a loose girl made her all the more suseptable to the gossip of the town when she came to live with Mr. Byrd. She was determined to live down her past which wasn't really her fault, "but convince the townspeople of that," she howled to Old Man Byrd one of those times when it seemed she could stand no more of their persecution with their gossiping catty remarks. She married him for a home and security and loved the children who were his by his former wife. She added three more to his now sizable family. Isabell became a good wife and worked with him in gratitude and cooperation to run a well supervised farm.

When the thrasher's dinner was prepared Ellen rang the dinner bell.

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Ruth & George Washington Bryant, the "Ruth & Georgie Black" of the story

PART THREE

. Her heart began to act strangely. There was a feeling of awareness that wasn't present when she was courted by Wilber. Ellen knew something had to give. At the thrashers table there was seated fifteen. It would have given one a reminding of the last supper if those present had been pious but the scene was set in an atmosphere of loud talking, scuffing of chairs up to the table, several of the helpers lagged back with unwashed hands waiting for the one before them to finish the ritual of cleaning up before the meal and combing their hair. All country folks do this by habit. Ruth Black began to supervise the doings as she was accustomed to every year since her marriage to George, she began to seat the workers, she wanted to reserve Ellen's seat where she would be easily noticed by Bill. Hoping a courtship with him would take the silly notion out of her head to leave the farm to take up nursing in the city. 'Nurses had bad reputations' she tried to intelligently reason with Ellen. Ellen had no desire to displease her parents but she had a few things in her craw against her brothers which her sensitive feelings resented. She had that young urge to escape her tormentors. It was only immaturity working in her well developed body which made her resent natural teasing from her many brothers. They loved Ellen, it was just natural boy vitality transforming into teasing. Ellen didn't understand at this early age to just laugh it all off and consider the source. (Editor's Note; At this point in the story is a line which is marked through - "Like she used to preach to her children "Just consider the source".) Right across from where she seated Bill, who was one of the first to be seated. He was considered the guest of honor. She reserved Ellen's chair. Her excuse was"Ellen can help with the serving so she had better sit in the middle, she can help the children on both sides. I'll sit at the foot across from Georgie who always sits at the head of the table. "We don't want to get him all confused she joked so we won't change his place." I had better sit where I can get to the kitchen easily. You may need more biscuits and the dessert will be set on the table later it always spoils the young children's appetite if I let them see it now." Everyone seated had their own private discussions. It sounded like the noise after church lets out. After every one was seated George Black led the prayer, this home was run in a Christian manner and the man was considered the head of the household. "Oh Lord, we who are gathered together here at this umble table do thank you for your bountiful blessings If you had not thought to prosper us in our endeavors to farm the good land you created we would not have all this bountiful supply of food to thank you for. I deeply thank you for the good wife you have blessed me with and a finebunch of youngsters. I feel sure I speak the sentiments of those gathered here at this table when I say they thank you in their hearts for the same things as I have spoken of. May you be with us all thru our life here to help us to add something great to your earth. Amen. All added, Amen!

PART FOUR

The children were the first to break the piousness of the sentiments of the grownups present. "Heyma" yelled little Johnny, how about a lalalaleg of chicken & some mamamashed taters n' gravy." He was seven and the youngest of the eight. Johnny stuttered. Ellen took the responsibility of waiting on him. And Maybell, who was nine. She sat between them. Johnny's stuttering embarrassed her. She felt like reprimanding him for his bad manners but knew it would only add to the embarrassment. She tried hard to act dignified to impress Bill but he just dove in to the food like a hungry animal. She would have noticed but she got so busy serving all she could manage to heap on the plates of the minor children to keep them occupied. She sat between her four brothers and sister. Edwin the oldest sat next to Bill to his right and Charles to his left, the hired help sat by twos on each side of Ellens brothers. She was almost afraid to look up at him for fear one of her older brothers would notice and tease her after he was gone. Bill acted slyly His mind was operating unbeknownst to anyone. He had noticed more than any one suspected. All the time he was eating and making conversation he was conniving at ways and means of breaking thru to her for an acquaintance ship. He couldn't help but notice her well developed body. Her raven hair gave him the urge to smother his face into it after it was let down. For she had it done in braids wrapped decoratively around her head. Her flawless olive complexion would excite the inwards of any man he mused to himself between hurried bites of gourmet. I only hope she doesn't set those blackeyed susan eyes upon me for long or I won't be able to retain my composure. For the first time Bill became lost in his thoughts and set his penetrating pale blue eyes upon her dark beauty. His mind was racing with imaginary endearments. Edwin at the table was eating like a horse concentrating on his food. With his mouth full he spoke, "Bill you know, Id like to visit your farm sometimes. I've heard a lot about the way it's run, I believe I could learn easier ways to do things, what do you say." He paused for an answer. Suddenly he looked at Bill, he realized his neighbor hadn't heard a word. Ed was a joker alright. "Hey Bill about time you notice her, I've noticed she's been running around here like she had bees in her pantaloons ever since you set foot on this farm." Ellen hadn't been paying attention to whether or not he had been seeing her or not since she had been too busy satisfying the demands of her five younger brothers and sister. It took her mind off herself for awhile. She was unprepared for this. Suddenly she realized she was the object of discussion, Ruth Black was taken aback too. "Edwin" she exclaimed horrified. Ellen was too embarrassed to speak. Red flushed her olive coloring. Suddenly she developed a severe headache. She would have saved herself physical pain had she throwed a bowl of mashed potatoes at her tormentor oldest brother. Today her psychiatrist would have advised her to do so. "Well had you rather I said, "Ants in her pants?" Ellen could have died,

PART FIVE

her practical mind told her to sit it out. She knew Ma would handle the situation gratiously. Edwin set up a self satisfied howl or nervous laughter. Everyones attention was centered on the clown, Johnny giggled hilariously, Maybelle put her hand in front of her mouth to keep the mashed potatoes from oozing out, she brought her shoulders up as she giggled after the fashion of small girls who try hard to suppress their tickledness for fear Ma or Pa will scold. Bill stayed as sober as a judge. The rest roared except Ma and Pa Black. Ellen thought he had really scored with the crowd. George Black abruptly brought the whole matter to a halt. "Now Ed," he slowly drawled, as he was brought up a gentleman from Virginia. "That will be enough, otherwise I'll thank you to leave the table". Ed hushed embarrassingly at his fathers reprimand. Now the tables were turned on him. Bill looked straight at Ellen who sat near tears before Ed got set down, now she had to giggle within herself at Ed's embarrassment. She was delightfully glad he had got called down by Pa. Served him right, she thought. Bill smiled across the table at her. It set her mind at peace because it was a smile of sympathy which she felt she needed right now. It broke the ice. Both threw all cares to the wind as Ellen arose from the table and hurried to the kitchen as if she had something she had to get from there for the table. Bill rose after her, excusing himself and followed her. She was at the sink with the pump on the right of it. Her head hung when he reached her. "Ellen" he softly spoke. Hurriedly she turned to face him, her sad soft brown eyes looked high up to him. She wasn't even five feet tall yet. "It's all right come back and finish your dinner pay no attention to ignorance. Even God spoke that the wrath of man would praise him. " He paused, then shook his head slowly. "You're beautiful." He finished and led her back to her place at the table, he pulled her chair out in polite fashion, she graciously seated herself. Ed couldn't stand his embarrassment any longer. He didn't wait to get dessert but nervously excused himself to go to the outside privy.

Ellen's courtship with Bill turned out much to her satisfaction.

PART SIX

She was proud to be seen to church with Bill. He dressed immaculately, every thing connected with him was perfect. Ellen's folks got their eyes open and bought her a few nice clothes so their daughter wouldn't look shabbily dressed along side her suitor. Soon everyone accepted her as Bill's girl, Wilber faded into the background. They became engaged at a good oud fashioned get to geather party at the Blacks…Ellen's father eloquently announced the engagement of his daughter to Bill Byrd with an air of roundness and great satisfaction. Ellen was treated by all at home from then on with honor, even Edwin babied her, going out of his way to make her feel important. Ellen lived the remaining months of her engagement in estacy. Life seemed perfect in every respect, her career was soon forgotten. Life was lived in satisfaction by the entire family.

June, they got married at Bill's home because his was nicer. An elaborate reception followed later in the evening After every one was filled with wedding cake and cider they had the belling. Noisy confusion ensued, the couple was kidnapped apart from each other and kept apart the first night. It was country folks idea of a practical joke. Samuel, Bills's twin brother, led the melee. This was natural of him as he was a lover of fun and would do most anything for a big laugh, even to dipping cats, as a boy, into the watering trough until they drowned. Becoming sick with convulsive laughter as they scrambled rigidly to escape.

The couple was given by both sides of the family as a wedding present fourty acres from each side. This was country custom to start a couple out on their own. They resided with the Byrds until their home was finished enough for them to move in. Bill worked every moment he could farming their land and building on the house. No one could ever say of Bill Byrd, that he was lazy. His ambition and fortitude was beyond reproach (written above this is "comprehension".) Ellen too was a good worker although she liked the outdoor work better than inside. She loved to work with the stock and chickens and especially in the truck garden and flowers. Ellen was a strong healthy specimen of country girl hood. Hard work never seemed to phase her nor Bill. Togeather they worked unceasingly to create and to live. Not many months passed when Ellen began to show with child.It seemed to spur both on to greater accomplishments. (Here is marked through, "When Ellen wasn't working at something she was crocheting or nitting something for the baby to come.") Bill worked on hand made furniture by lamplight after supper and a chaw of tobacco. After Ellen done up the supper dishes she sat in the same room with him knitting or crocheting some piece of clothing for the baby. "Hey Pop look it's finished" she smiled, her face looked like a luscious round pie, especially now that she was gaining weight. Bill looked up from his carpentry. "What's with this Pop stuff?" he questioned. "Instead of Ma and Pa were going to be Pop and Mom." answered Ellen good naturedly. Bill couldn't resist to leave his work to get the chance to take her on his lap. He kissed the top of her busom where her neck line was low.

PART SEVEN

"Stop" she blushed. "Yes I am stopping my building right now. You're stopping your nitting right now." Masterly he carried her up the staircase to their bedroom. "Got to turn in early you know four o'clock rolls around too soon now." With mischief in his eyes he gently laid her down on the quilted bed with it's canopy. He had proudly made the bed and felt a sense of conquering spirit with all that he had accomplished. Bill unlaced her high top shoes. Ellen was estacically happy. Every unkind remark anybody ever hurt her with was forgotten and forgiven At this moment she was caught up in the rapture to his tender touch and attention. What more could a girl want of life than what she already had.

Peacefully sleeping, four o'clock came too soon. The roosters began to fill their lungs with the night air only to expel it by crowing. That was the farmer's alarm clock. Togeather with his will to arise. They dressed, Ellen went about her chore of preparing breakfast, Bill was all business and ready for action. "Hurry up Mom Iam hungary", "Oh shut up".

Togeather they went to the barn to do the chores. "Hold still Bossie" Ellen got a good smack in the face with her tail. "Pop this cow is mighty restless this morning". That burnt Bill up. Something he couldn't stand was to see anyone or anything hurt Ellen. With a pitchfork in hand he gave Old Boss a good prick in the sides with it before he thought. The pain of it excited her, she knocked Ellen, who was too big to be supple by now asprawling and bolted out of the stall. Bill's excitement was overwhelming. "My god, Ellen my god I'll kill the bitch. He was near tears. Ellen lay still unable to move. "She stepped right in my belly the old devil" Bill picked her up He tried to carry her but she was too heavy. "Ellen can you walk" I'll help you." "Now William calm down You know Iam as tough as whang," she exclaimed. "Never mind now Iam going after Ma and the doctor." I'll kill Old Boss, I'll kill 'er, Every nerve in his strong body was shaking with fear and anger, he took on so. Ellen had never seen him so all rawed up. After he laid Ellen on the sofa holding her belly from pain, he bridled up Chester, who was a chestnut colored stud. It wasn't too far to Mother's. At five in the morning, the lamp was lit in the house and barn. All farmers were at their chores. "Mama" screamed Bill horsely "come quick Ellens been kicked by Old Boss. Have Pa go after Doc. Excited and shook. She delivered a fine premature girl normally. Grandma Byrd stayed to look after her. They named it Viola because of the violence connected with her birth. Ellen took special care of Viola because of her size. They lived in fear she wouldn't pull thru she was so delicate. So much time was taken up in the care of the delicate one that many things had to be neglected. However due to the protective care Viola grew strong and was loved greatly by all.

PART EIGHT

At the meeting of the Farmers Grange announcements were made that young Byrd's house would be bypassed this year for the family reunion because of so much care going out to their first borned. Bill felt it would be too much on Ellen so he sugested his farm as the place the following year. Old Man Byrd offered his place. It was voted on and passed.

The following year rolled around, bleak cold January, Feburary and March with it's cutting wind's. 'I'd soon be planting time again.' Bill thought as he looked out over the bleak field's and chilled as he attended to the stock in the barn. Immediately his mind was planning the days and months ahead. He remembered too that Viola's first birthday was due, she would have been born in the spring if Boss hadn't kicked Ellen. I 'spose I am to blame mor'n Boss. What a fool I was to loose my temper. I'd really have killed that cow if Viola had been borned dead or Ellen had died. I should thank God it wasn't turned into a tragety.' He paused and sighed from the weight of his thoughts. Winter must be depressing me, I'll be glad when it comes time to plant. Never could bear to be cuped up Guess I'd best get to town 'n buy a birthday present for the baby, wonder if Ma will keep the baby while Ellen and I do some buying.?' His thoughts were broken when Ellen slipped into the barn, Softly she called "William" "Huh?" came the answer. "Let's take Viola to Grandma's today after the sun warms up, Sunday's her birthday. I'll help you get the chores done early. I'd like to stop by and see Mother and family before we go into town. So's I can invite them over for Sunday dinner and Viola's birthday party." "Strange that I should be thinking the same thing just before you came in." he replied with a far away stare. Then turning to her he said "Ellen you're such a remarkable person. Iam lucky you're not dead". "Why Bill Ellen exclaimed, What made you say that? "Don't you know you can't kill a rough Black. Iam here to stay for a long time and bear you lots of fine children, Let's get started now. With the chores.

By the next winter the second child was borned another girl. Then the third one, not two years later a girl, until seven girls were borned to the Bill Byrd's. Some were fourteen and fifteen months apart. Hard work, nor child after child didn't seem to make much of a dip into Ellen's childish beauty. Her physical makeup was like iron. Her sense of humor never lagged. She seemed in seventh heaven in the midst of her brood. Bill felt tired, the house never seemed straight anymore. He thought his nerves were on edge. "Farming is going to the dogs. I'd like to sell out and move into town, set up my own business. I thought I'd have some boys to help me run this farm but all you can produce is a pack of girls. There's a superstition about seven girls being borned in a row too, of course the superstition pertains to the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter with a veil over her face when she is borned. So I guess that let Little Betty out. I sure don't want her to grow up to be a witch like one of my pa's kids by his first wife turned out, always putting spells on somebody's stock when they didn't just kow tow to her whim's. I sure am glad your'en't the seventh daughter in your family." His tone was sarcastic. Ellen ignored his tone. Her baby was yelling, the other small children were noiseily playing. Viola the eldest was changing Betty's pants. She was fifteen now and her blonde beauty was breath taking. Her hair was naturally curly and hung down her back in long ("vertical" written in and "horizontal" marked through) curls. Her eyes were neither blue now (I double checked "now" here instead of "nor" and "now" is what is typed.) brown black, they were violet A really unexplainable shade. They were big and round and real sad looking. Her lips were full and red. She was fully developed and was a real help to Ellen.

the end

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L--NELLIE ...R-WILLIAM