Document text
October 20, 1939
Kt's. Laurance Long (Yam idow)
Monroe, N.C.
Mary P. Wilson, Writer
Dudley 4. Crawford, Reviser
Original Nana*:
Mrs. Laurence Long
Qs,
CPanged Name a;
Mts. Lank Lane
The little dark haired woman seemed a part of the settee
upon which she lay.
You went me to tell you my life story? I don't mind
but there's a lot of sadness connected with it. No one is
interested in a story of that kind; they have trouble enough
of their own, it down --you will have to be patient with ma
for I have a sick headache today. Oh, don't lot it worry you
any for it is much better now; anyway I have it so much I
don't pay much attention to it.
"Yes thin is my home. My husband died lait year and
left it to me. He died in his sleep. I'm holding up my chin
and trying to keep things going. own the adjoining farm
too. It's a lot of responsibility with no one to help but my
sixteen year old son.
"I have three chileren dead --one, a baby twenty 'wenn
months old was killed by my eon who is living now. He was
cleaning his father's shot gun and it went off shooting my
baby. I never throw it up to him or mention it in any way,
because I know it was an accident —one of the others died with
T. H. of the bone and one with scarlet fever. There were four
deaths in the home in less than a year.
"I do, t wear black. I don't think it helps to brood over
anything. You have no doubt heard of people snying, 'that is
home without a mother?' I think the same thicg could be said
about a home without a father. my husband believed in having
plenty of hogs, chickens and cows; I have to neglect the
house work to look after them and other outside duties.
my boy finished high school this spring -..he wants to
go to College this winter, but if he does I'll be loft alone
unless he consents to go to a school that's near enough so he
can come home at night. I can't figure out how I can menage
the expense of n college education for him. Ha's so set on
going that I'll have to do something about it --I'd sell part
of my lend If I could get a oash buyer.
"T was born on a farm and wouldn't hardly know which way
to turn if had to live in a city, but a farmer doesn't have
much cash money; the problem comes up when I try to sell any-
thing. I've tried selling vegetables, chickens and egg', and
find 1 lose more than I gain." Mrs. Lane was small and delicate
looking, not capable of bearing her many burdens. Her tiny
hands smoothed the white rag that was tied around her head,
as she continued. "A women can't provide for a home like a
man --she just hasn't got the ability.
"1 have a house on my other farm --you can see it from
the window. I rented it to a man who has a wife and five
children; whenever I feel blue and discouraged I think of
them. The man isn't nolt) to work and his wife needs to go to
the hospital. They have much more to worry over than I do--
3
folr of the children are in school an they .ave such a hard
time keeping thou clothed and fed. T think the welfare helps
them a little but not enough. It seems that they give no more
to large families than to email ones. Of course, I realize
it is all charity and poor people have to be thankful for any
help they vet, but r still think there could be more for men
with several children who ere not able to provide for them.
"I've often thought, I'd like to be n case worker so T
could try to help people. I'm an quite certain there are other
higher officials who hclve the say so as to what is to be cone.
In a large organization, one person wouldn't have a chance to
better oonditions.
"I was not brought up to work. My peop'e were farmers
but they didn't believe in letting girls do any work --all
know how to do I learned from my hesband. Parents do not
realize how much harm they do by not teaching their children
to dervend upon themselves. I know they intend to be rood
but goodness of that kind is more harmful thnn helpful.
"I'd like to get out end !And a Job where I could know
T was going to make enough to live. I have no idea where to
start to look for work, and I feel like I ought to try to
take care of what my husband left until I see a much better
way of providing for myself."