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Name: Jane K. Leary, 32 Acorn St. Section 14
Informant: Patrick J. Ryan, 152 Jackson St. July 20,139
Assignment: The Shoe Machinery Worker of Lynn jjJ
OUL n 194
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION
This informant is a stoutish old man of a little more than
average height, with hair of non—descript color that has perhaps
once been blond, with well worn clothes which the contours of his
body have bulged into a shoddy appearance of comfort. His shoulders
are a bit round, but he walks straight.
The kitchen and dining room of this home Eave in them the
necessary furniture accessories, but besides there is an old easy chair
with a concave center in its cushion seat. There is the small stand
within reach, littered with newspapers and religious and poultry
periodicals. On the dining room table too is some of this overflow of
reading material, for these people eat in the kitchen, except on state
occasions.
There's a rocking chair in the kitchen the sort that
Grandma usually rocks a baby in, and herded tightly together on the
top of the sewing machine are potted plants in all stages of growth
from bare slips to ferny luxuriance.
Only the parlor keeps its best foot forward. Here is a
stylish sui4,- two or three pictures, pretty lamps and a piano. But
the pieces stand too starkly at attention in there and a glance reveals
that therein is not the real living of the household. There is not here,
as in the rest of the house the casual living comfort that jumps up from
the rooms and embraces the caller.
This house is a home.
IMMO
1.
Name: Jane K. Leary, 32 Acorn St.
Informant: Patrick J. Ryan, 152 Jackson St.
Assignment: The Shoe Machinery Worker of Lynn
Section 14
July 20, 1939
"What'll I ever get for supper tonight?"
-17
"Wells you know *Others I eat anything."
"Yss I know. You ain't hard ta feed. I blieve you'd eat shoe
leather if I wuz ta set it bafore ya. I never knowed a man easier
ta feed."
"Well why don't ya feed her the same thing."
"Wells you know nows Pops she works hard. We'd oughta give her some—
thing she'd like. But I'll tell ya nows sometimes; I wisht I knowed
what ta get her fer supper. She sure is particular what she eats."
My informant and his wife were speaking of their daughters
who works in the shoe machinery corporation as an inspector, the very
same who had so many silk dresses that "it was a
"Wells I'll tell ya one thing she does like an' they got it down to the
store at the corner. I won't havta wait for the butcher then or go
down town either. We kin have that tonight."
"What's that?"
"Hot Dogs."
It was a very warm days and I could see reluctancy struggle in the face
of my informant's wife, to brave the hot sun even as far as the corner
variety store.
"I'll go," said her husband.
"No you won't neither. You stay right here on this piazza. I ain't
gonna have you get no sunstroke in this hot sun."
She seemed relieved when I told her I'd gladly go, although
it took a bit of insisting before I secured her grateful permission.
3
Name: Jane K. Leary, 32 Acorn St.
Informant: Patrick J. Ryan, 152 Jackson St.
Assignment: The Shoe Machinery Worker of Lynn
Section 14
July 20, '39
on, an' we got each other. That should be enough ta make anybody
happy."
"My garden ain't all out this year. I cun't do it myself
and my sons ain't got much time either, after they work all day, ta
come over here and work it fur me. An' Mother ain't able either.
So next year I think I'll go over ta that fella acioss the street and
ask him if he wants ta put it out fur himself. He's got a growing
family an' could use it. Yes sir, that's jest what I'm agonna do next
year, if I'm still here. I hope I will be. It's good ta be alive."