[Reminiscence]

Document text

Written lyt
Leo1a T. Bradley
Nosearett ?lel& Worker
GeorgiasWriters' Project
Athens
Waited By:
lire. Maggie B. Freeman
Sitter
Georgia Writers' Project
Athu
WPA Area 6
Oefieber 10, 1939

September 27, 1939
Mrs. Louie D. Bradley (White)
424 South Lumukin Street
Athens, Georgia
Ex -teacher WPA Worker
Bralley
"My childhood was not very different from
that of the average child. I was born down in
Dublin, Georgia, Laurens County. My father was a
Pharmacist there for forty-five years. I was one
of seven children four brothers and two sisters.
My mother was one of the most devout Christians I
have ever known. Father was a fine man too ,but some-
how children, as a rule look more to the mother for
spiritual guidance. There has never been a happier
home than ours was. Large families are happier then
small ones I think. We had our squabbles as most
children do. Sometimes we were sad then again we were
glad. Ye loved a lot and fusred a lot. 4e lived comfort-
ably but not luxuriously. Father did not believe in
indulging children too uoh.
'My frther end mother were Loth musical and with
only one exception all of the children inherited thRt
talent. Most of us hpd good voices TATicl we played not
only on the piano but othcr instruments. We had an old
organ th,t had teen hRnded down to my father from gener-
ations Lack. We would gather around pt night and sing

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to mothers accompaniment. When we were old enough
to take must° lessons a piano was bought,
was the youngeot girl so my brothers and
sisters thought I was the favorite, but I really
don't think there was any preference shown.
"Father, in those days did not believe in
Public Schools, so along with three or four other
families, we went to a private school. This teacher
has now retired and lives in Milledgeville., Georgia,
Since I went to this private school, I did not have
to wait until the required age to enter, so began
very early. Aftcr several years we entered the public
school,and, as I was well advanced, I graduated very
young.
"I displayed a decided talent for music, at any
rate every one thotOtt so, and I was given every a&
vantage both in piano and voice.
"I was too young, my parents thought, to go away
to college so they decided to keep me at home a year.
"Funny how little things can turn your whole life.
"One night I was in bed just recuperating from
a cold, the telephone rang and it was the 0chool Super-
intendent under whom I had graduated. He had been
oalled over long dietanoe by 9. superintendent of a
school, in neighboring town, asking him to reitommend

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a music teacher. The one they had run away and
married.
"Well, to make a long story short I went
down there to finish out the term. Never did any
one feel so little and helpless as I did, when I
started out on my first job. I never will forget
my trin down to this place. I went on the train
and though it was only a short distance, I had to
change trains at a little junction. Well, muoh to
my dismey when I reached this junction my train had
left me. There was nothing to do but spend the night.
I knew this depot agents wife, so he carried me to
his home for the night. To go back a little I tried
to drese myself up to look the part of a dignified
techer. I hqd hat with a feather on it, of which
I was very proud. That night we went up the street
to visit some friends. When we returned there were
feathers feathrs all over my room. Much to my
chagrin the cat had gotton hold of my oherished hat
and torn the feathers completely up. The next morning
7
we got up, found acme eibbon and fixed my hat and
went on my way, reaching my destinntion around eleven
olclook.
°In a small town the teacher forms, to a certain
extent, the social life of the community so every one
was curious to know how the new music teacher was going
to look. I learned this later.

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"As no one set me at the train, I walked up
the street to the little hotel, whieh was only a
short distance. On my way I passed two men who scruti-
nized me rather closely, not rudely, but in an inter,.
eeted sort of a way. They were not old as we term age
today but were considerably oldar than I nice looking,
well dresFed. I hurried by but unfortunately I dropped
my bag. As I paused to pick it UD I heard this remark.
'You can have her, Drew. I'm not runnink3 a kindergarden'.
I did not dare look back to see which one made this re-
mark but it wasn't long before I found out. Well, any-
way he changed his mind before the year was out. Five years
1 ter we were married.
"I did not, accent a teachers place the following
term for I -Arriteci to go to college. In Steltember I went
away to a College and Conservatory of Music out in Miss-
issiripi. People wondered why I didn't go to one of our
fine Georgia Schools but there were several reasons. One
was, I was given a scholarship. Then, too, after the first
year I was given a tutors place in the Conservatory and
helped pay my own way throu01 school. I went there four
years ,,nd tie last term I wae a full fledged teacher. I
war yung to be on the faculty, but I have always been a
hard worker and cAlscientious, so I think I made good.
During that time I was also studying. The third year I was
there I took my AB degree and my BM degree, majoring in

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voice. The fourth year 1 took a BM degree, majoring
in piano.
"Well, I had promised kr. bailey I would marry
him as soon as I finished college, but when I came
home that summer my mother begged me so hard to stay
at home with her a year, I did. I felt that I was due
her that much. Mr. Bailey didn't like it much but he
couldn't do anything about it, so he waited.
"I was elected to teach piano and voice In my
home town school, so in that way, I could work end still
be with my mother. My fiancee was not very far away in
the little town where I had done my first teaching, so
I got to see him several times a week. I've never re-
gretted staying with my p rents that year. I was really
too young to marry anyway.
°The following June I was married. I won't say
that my married life began with the very brightest out-
look that is too broad a statement, but I do know it
seemed to me I was the happiest creature on earth. I just
wondered if it would last. Well, in one respect it did.
It was not unmixed with clouds, adversities and disappoint-
ments. We all have those if we live long enough. Our love
was the one bright star tnat was never dimmed. But there,
I'm getting ahead of my story.
*Mr. Bailey was a big merchant in a small town. He
had only a high school education, but his many years of

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experience had taught him more, perhaps, than he
ever would have learned in books, He was a ;lumber
of years older than I loved home and at meal -time
and at night he loved to be there.
*People thought we would not be congenial for
while I loved my home, 1 was not quite so settled in
my ways. Those things adjusted themselves.
He did not know one note from the other, nor
could he carry a tune, but he learned to love opera
and other cultitral things as well as I. In other wora
the longer we lived together, the more congenial we
became.
Our first baby, a girl, vas born when we had
been married about two and a half years. That same
fall we made enough to finish paying for our business.
He did not have it entirely paid for Aaen we married.
"Our next goal was a home of our own. We were
paying rent then. I was a little inclined to want
oar first. Numbers of my young friends had them; but
my husband insisted that a home was more important
right then. In January just as the World War broke out,
we built our home. I see now, it was a mistake to have
built tie kind of home we did, in such a small place.
I could not see what the future held for us. It never
occured to me, but what we would both always be there

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and times lust as prosperous as then.
"Like most merihants, Mr. Bailey prospered during
the war. Afterwards, though, there was a terrible slump
in mere:handles and our bulness suffered a terrible
blow. We took it with a smile; we just cut down our mode
of living, but were just as happy.
"My husband was old fashioned in his ideas of
what women should and should not do.
"One night he came home from work with,a part
cross and part hurt expression on his face. I was
worried for he was usually in a good humor. I didn't
say anything, just waited for him to speak. 'Well', he
said, 'I was certainly hurt end surprised at something
I heard this afternoon.' Why, whet have I done, I said?
'I never thought the time would come,' he seid, 'when my
wife would take psrt in politics.'
"Well, I didn't vote that year. After that his views
began to chAnge and soon he was taking me to the polls
every election day. I don't take any active part in politics,
but I vote my convictions. I think every woman should do
that. I am interested in public affairs, but I don't go wild
over elections like some people. Of course, I think we all
get a 'kick' over sef-ing our man go in.
didn't do any work outside of my home the first
years of our married life. It wasn't necessary from a
financial stndpoint. My husband thought I had plenty to

Bradley
'age 8
do, to look after our home and little girl. I took an
active pPrt in church affairs. I am naturally re-
ligiously inclined and was reared in that kind of
atmosphere. I kept up my music, especially voice. I
did lots of club work too. At one time I was first
District Director in the Georgia Federation of Music
Clubs. So, even though I lived in a very small country
town, my activities were not confined to my environment.
*My husband was unusual in this respect. He was very
ambitious about my voice. Not many men would consent for
their wives to leave them and go away for three months at
a time to study. Well, he did, and not only that, he gave
me the money. One thing, he knew that I had been accustom-
ed to a larger town and felt that I needed a change. So
instead of
go away to
*One
then, so I
months. He
week -ends.
summers of
Clark King.
lots.
taking just pleasure trips each summer, I would
study.
summer I spent in Atlanta. I had only one child
took a little apartment and kept house for three
spent his vacation with us and also came up for
I look back on that as biang one of the happiest
my whole married life. I studied under Miss Lula
She is still teaching in Atlanta. She helped me
"The next summer I went to the Americian Conservatory
of Music in Chicago, Illinois. I continued my voice lessons
and also studied Public School Music. The following summer

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I completed that course. I don't consider any musical
education complete now without Public School Music, in
fact, even school teachers now 11ve to know how to
teach it,
"After I completed this course in Chicago, I be-
gan coming to the University of Georgia summer school.
That was during the time when the University had such
a fine school of music. They had one whole week during
each summer devoted to Grand Opera, concerts eta. The
best of talent was assembled here for that week. It was
truly a gala occasion. Mr. George Folsom Granberry, of
New York, was director of the School of Music, and also
directed Opera. He was nice to me end I feel that I owe
more to him than any musician I have ever contacted. He
gave me outst-nding parts in Opera. That helped to broaden
my musical career more th n all the study I had had. I
kept that up for seven consecutive summers. Sometimes, I
would feel badly over spending so much money on myself, but
the time came later in life when I was truly glad that I
had not spent my time in idle pleasure.
"We were a little disappointed that our family wee
so small, for we still had one child. I like large families
when you can give them what they need to become good oiti-
zens. Just as we had resigned ourselves to just one child,
along came a little boy. No need to tell you we were happy,
we were just thrilled to death. We named him Louie for his

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with the baby, when two ladies drove up to the house.
They introduced themselves, told me they were looking
for a voice teacher, and asked if I would consider
taking them., Well, I said, I have taught a good bit in
my life, but not lately. I then told of all the sickness
I had had, ,-nd what a care my children were. They insist-
ed, so I finally told them I would teach them.
"They lived twenty miles away end were to drive
over twice a week for their lessons. That was the be-
ginning of my returning to my profession. Soon other
pupils began coming and in a short while had all the
pupils I could teach, ri;ht in my own home.
It was the wisest decision I ever made too, for
in November we lost our business. Mr. Bailey did a big
credit businems. That, along with the depressions just
ruined him. That left us about wher, we first started
out. We had our home though, and I was teaching, so we
still felt that we had much to Le thankful for.
"Well Mr. Bailey soon got him a job traveling,
selling flour and feed -stuffs. He didn't make anything
like the money we had been accustomed to having, but with
my help we managed. Once more we thought our difficulties
were over, for e while at least.
One night we were sitting at the supper table and
all at once he began gasping for breath. His face was
ashy white. I hurried him to the room, pan to the phone

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and soon the doctor was there. I have never seen such
suffering as my husband endured. The doctor sat by
him all night, and just before dawn he seemed to rest
a little easier. When the doctor loft, he told me that
the trouble was Angina Pectoris., and in the worst form.
I began to realise then what was before me, two children
and a husband, who could likely be taken from us at any
time.
"I was elected to teach piano -voice and public
school music, in a school sixteen miles away. I knew
it meant leaving my home end children, a good part of
the time, but I accepted the place. It seemed that some
kind providence was coming to our rescue in every emergency.
I taught there in the same school for seven years, com-
muting in my oar. Most of tn t time Mr. Bailey was not
able to work and I was the only support. He helped me lots
with the children. Mary, of curse, was in school, but
little Louie was not old enough, so he was his dady's
constant companion.
°After about six months my husbAld was able to go
to work Again. He bought out a small grocery store and
things began to look brighter for us.
"Mary graduated from high school, and then came the
question of sending her to college. With the help of a
sister of my husbands, we entered her at the University of
Georgia. I brought her to Athens on Monday, Sertember 25th.
The following Wednesday night she was called back. The death

Bradley
Pise 13
angel visited our home, taking the beloved husband
and father. Even though I knew for several years he
would probably go suddenly and at any time. I was not
prepared for it. He dronped dead on his way home from
work; little Louie and his dog were the only ones with
his at the time. Those were truly dark days for us, and
for a while, it seemed that I just could not take up
life a(;ain. But I did, for I had my two children to live
for and who had to depend on me for everyt4ng. Mary re-
turned to the university after a week, and I resumed my
teaching. Louie too was in school, had just entered.
That fall was the loneliest I ever spent, but we made
the best of it. I took a couple in to board with us and
that helped lots.
"Mr. Bailey did not leave us a groat deal. He had
borrowed on his insurance, always hoping he would get in
physical condition to take out more. But he never did.
We owned our house though and had a few thousand in cash.
I was not afraid of the future for I felt capable of earn.
ing a living for my children. Money takes wings though
when sickness comes. When Mr. Bailey had been dead only
three months, Louie was taken desperately ill, 'pneumonia!'
tae doctor said. After a few days though we noticed a slight
swelling in his hip and he began complaining of pain. As
soon as we could we got him to a hospital for Xray. Os-
tromylitis was the diagnosis, bone infection in the worst

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form. For six months it was a battle between life and
death. Then, too, I was faced with the possibility of
his being a cripple even if his life was eparad.
*Doetors, hospital, ligrses and operations played
havoc with my little bank account for I gave him the
best attention I knew how. The strain was beginning to
wear me out both physically and financially. I was try-
ing to teach all day and stay with him at the hospital
at night. I saw he was getting no better at that place,
so with the help of friends, I got him at the Scottish
Rite hospital at Decatur. That was the saving of his. He
was there for two years. They let me bring him home for
Christmas, but I carried him right baok. That is truly a
wonderful place. It's true he is left a cripple, but had
it not been for the St:sottish Rite he would not be here
now. He is still under their oars. I have to carry him
back at intervals for examintions. In another year he
is scheduled for another operation on his hip. That is
to try to lengthen his limb and correct hip limping.
*When he was dismissed from there it seemed that
th,re was nothing for me to do, but give up my teaching
and stay at home with him. He was on crutches and had to
have lots of special care. So I resigned my job. Thats
how it happens that I am not teaching today I guess. You
know when you once get out of your profession, it's hard

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to get back especially t my age. There Ere so many
teachers without jobs.
"Atter Mary finisAed her second year at the Uni-
versity of Georgia I decided to give her a secretarial
course. I took her to Washington D.C. and entered her
at Strayers Sea School. She lived with my brother. She
was very lucky for through influence of some politioal
friends there, she got a job in three months time. It
was only a short time though before she fell in love,
almost at first eight, and married. That was a blow to
me at first, but on second thought I was really happy
over it. Then when I met her husb4nd I was even more so.
Yes, she married a fine man and into a fine family. Her
husbands father is American Consul General to Liepsig,
Germany. I feel so sorry for him now during this European
crisis. They have not been able to hear from his parents
since e rly In August. 'That is off my subject though./
"Finances were getting so bad with me that on the
advice of friends of mine, I moved to Athens, Georgia.
My idea was to open up a boarding house. I thought I
could do that and be at home with my crippled child, too.
Well, theta the last thing I should have done. I know how
to keep a nice house and set a nice table, but I knew
absolutely nothing about the financial side of it. I
opened up a lovely place on Prince Avenue, and right there
is where I lost the last of my little savings. The sad part

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is, I even sold my little home in South Georgia
and invested it. That too was gone. Then I began
losing my nerve Rnd my health. My boy too had
several severe atteasks of illness and that took more
money. I saw there was no more boarding house for me,
so I stored what I had in the way of furniture, sold
part of it, and began looking for work
As a last resort I went down to the Welfare Office
and was certified for WA work. My sisterin-law took
my boy for me end found a little boarding school and
put him there until could get work. He just has to
have good care. My first WPA assignment came right out
of a cleEr sky as they all do for me. I had given up
hopes. Imagine my chagrin when I opened up my slip and
read 'Library Project' book repairer 25Of per hour.
Of all things in the warld I had never done, mending a
book was the most unthotOat of. I soon lfarned it to be
very fascinating work. Just to make an old book to look
like new was really worth while. Anyway I was learning
somethinT I never expected to knot,. It was hard work and
not much pay either, but, it wao honest. That projeot closed
in two months. From Seatember 10th to January 3rd of this
year, I Wall without work. I can hardly tell you how I
managed. My boy did not suffer though for he was still in
this little school. By the way ,it. is a Catholic School and
they certainly do take good care of him. He learns rapidly

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down there.You see, two years of his school life was
spent in the hospital so he is behind in his studies.
'The WFA is a wonderful plan, I think, to give ea
ployment to people who really need it. The greatest
trouble with me, it has not been continuous work. I get
so behind with finance' between jobs. Then too, while no
one expects a big salary oh,WPA, I would like to make
enough to give my boy the neoessities of life. His shoes
alone cost me twenty dollers per pair, besides the fare
to Atlnnta to get them fitted.
"My next WPA job began January 3rd of this year. It
lasted six months, awl the pay was better than on the first
one. I liled that fine. I wee a field worker on the Real
Property Survey. We made two surveys of Athens.
'At first I felt funny going into all kinde of places
and contacting all sarts of people, but I eot over that. I
have to meet people, so on the job I certainly had a good
opportunity and me tt lot of frienCs. I wee not accustomed
to walking either, but I iernee to do that too. Since working
on that survey I feel tht I knot: every mook Lnd corner of
Athens.
'Well, that jet oloeed And I was wondering what I
next. It seemed for six weeks that I vouldn't do
anytnAng. Again unexpectedly cisme another slip assigning
me to what was then called the Federal Writers' Project.
Since then it has been changed to Georgia Nriters' Project.
I like it very much especially the intrviews and the

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research work. As for my writing well I'm trying,
but I'm afraid those people in Atlanta think I'm
hopeless.
"I think President Roosevelt is a wonderful man
in many, many respects, especially his conceiving the
idea of helping the unemployed. I aprreoiate the work,
but of course I prefer private employment and I am
striving for it all the time. There are other WPA jobs
I might be better suited for. Music is my profession and
of course I prefer something thqt I can do well. In other
cities I understand, there are projects for musicians.
Athens does not have one however.
"My mode of living of course is not what it once
was, but my ideals are just as high. Money does not
mean everything and even doing without luxuries does
not kill. I attend church regularly and when Louie is
fA home he goes with me. We are both members of the
First Methodist Church and I sing in the choir there. I
can't take any part in social /unctions any more nor
in club work. I don't have the time or money, but those
are not essentials anyway. My one ambition now is to see
my boy grow into manhood, with just as high aspirations
as his parents had.