Document text
Approx. 3750 Words
67 B.
8OUTR GAROLINA WRITICRS, PROTECT
LIFE HISTORY.
TITLE s, MARY WATKINS AND HER FAMILY.
Date of First Writing Zane 13* 1939.
Name of Person Interviewed Alp Kinard (White)
Fictitious Name Mary Watkins
Street Address 140 Wentworth Street
Place Charleston* S.C.
Occupation Department Store Clerk
Name of Writer Ross D. Workman
Name of Reviser State Office,
Pro jest #.3.858
Rose Ds Workman
Charleston, Ss Cs
Jan, 4, 1939
F
itviA Hummixi
Page 46 1
Unlike the halls lower dovm„ *lash though neat were quite
devoid of d000ration, the little attic entry to the Watkins, home
IIVA gay with potted plants, which were blooming away in tho bright
sunshine that flooded in through the orisply curtained windows
The door was opined by a tall, bent old lady, with bright brown
cres, luxuriant white hair, and very large horn rimmed glasses. Or
perhaps it was booauso her face was so thin and small that the
sses looked so larLes
"Yes," she said. "Mary is at hems. gall hers"
The Uvin. roc= was a cozy, sunshiny plaint, right up under the
foam.. The wal:s were papered in an old fashioned green and white
design, and creamy curtains hung at the tiny windows. Potted plants
bloomed on the deep windowsills. A large oil burner made the room
comfortably warms
The roonle oml other occupant was a tall, darlo.wyed young man
in his late twenties, who, lounging at ease in a great &mohair, had
interrupted his reading to acknowledge his motherls introduction with
a pleasant word of greeting. Now and again he looked up from his
magazine to make some brief, detached remarkt
"How do jou like our attic? I'm going to ealotnine this room
as soon as I can get a couple of days off."
Returning to his story without waiting for a reply, in a fwm
moments he oontinued as if there had been no pause at ails
Project 04658
Rose D. Workman
Charlestan# S. C.
Jan. 4# 1939
mARY WV* AND lisP
LIFE HISTORY.
"Mama don't want me Ta. She likes th..ngs oldomfashionod.
But I like everything modern around me."
"Hello there," said a girlish voiee# and Mary entered, clad
in an old gray skirt and a still older sweater, with both elbows
out.
"My lounging suit,* the said, as she settled herself with a
cigarette in a owner of the shabby sofa.
A true olive skin; enormous brilliant green eyes under heavy
black brows; a quantity of jot black hair hanging down upon her
shoulders in a long bob; small, uptIrned nose, and a well pro-
portioned, plump little figure. That was Mary. She was perhaps
year or two younger than her brother in the easy chair.
"You know, I lost my job at the department store since I saw
you,* the began. "I certainly was disappointed, for after they put
as on full time I thought surely they were going to give as steady
work; but they gave me the pink slip instead. an Christmas Eve night.
"I was so proud of having a real jobl while I didn't like being
a clerk so awfully well, or standing on my feet all day, yet I had a
lot of fun.* Mary giggled reminiscently.
*I learned a lot, too. For instance, I never knew anyth rig
about Scotch clans and plaids efore. "hat we handled a special
Christmas number of plaid ties for men, and each box was labeled with
the name of the clan to which that plaid belonged**
Project 0.1636
Rose D. Workman
Charleston, S. C.
Pia WATKINS AND tra WAXILY.
Page 3
Abruptly thrusting out a pair of small, high -arched feet,
shod in dull kid. slippers, Mary sommandeds
"Leo* at my faahionable new slippers& When I was working in
the store my feet swelled up so froa standing all day that I eouldn't
stand my higmbeled shoes, so I got thee*, and were them all the
time I was clerking, in the street and everywhere, Nobody seemed
to not lee they were bedroom slippers, and they certainly helped my
feelings,
*You see, a day in a department store is pretty tiring. We
opened at 01309 That meant being at my counter around 8116. I had
an hour off for dinner, but by the time six efelodk same and I put
the cover over my eounteri my feet felt like cliii
"During the Christmas rush we kept open until nine, with thirty
minutes for a snuck at supper time.
final
We worked hard, but I like it
'Now I have to start job hunting again. Honestly it will just
about kill me to go bulk an relief. I suppose it's a throwback to
my proud old ancestors, aht, vim Just Joking,' she said with a
laugh, "Really I don't give a hoot *homy people were. Mm's the
one who goes in for all that.
"Ands of courses I'm awfully grateful for IPA work, Only I do
like a private Job uest,
"What I really want more Van anything else in the world is to
Projeat di.1646
Rose D. Workman
Charleston, S. C.
AAD LYE.
be a newspaper reporter. The professor
a clot of literary talent; but so fttr
to try my hand at writing,. I've got my
at Mel told me I had
I've never had a chance
YAMS -CU file with a
newspaper office in Columbia* and I've pretty nearlyirorn out the
steps of the office here. But no luck so far,
don't even know whether I oan get back an relief
'has
she said* 'bemuse Disk is werkinei sad -alai temporary work on a
dredge. FAA vs sure need th.,-wouoy, for we can't get along an what
Dick makes, and Bill spends all his an himself.
*I've been an several WPI projeets already. Once I was an a
projeot for eopying old records. I liked the work and the girls
lust fine* and the supervisor was lovely to me. But my eyes
aren't strong, and using them so much an that fine work was bad
far then. I had to get amfUlly strong glasses. They cost twentyi.
two dollars and if the doctor hadn't lot me pay for than in weekly
payments of two dollars each, I don't know what T would have dr.nes
"lint bemuse of my weak eyes I waP glad when they transferred
me to 'Recreation I enjoyed that work. I was waxy about wy little
'gnat, and 'midget' basketball teams* and I liked the morning work
in the kindurgarten. One darling little bay used to nrinc me lunch
&logic with his every day.
"But of all the jabs I've ever had I think I liked working at
the Radio Shop best. Of course* I didn't got much money there; but
Project #4885
Rose D. Workman
Charleston, S. C.
MARK WATKINS AND HICR FAMILY.
Page 8
it was the kind of work I like, and that an a lot* The Bees let
me write my own ltters„ and al] he did was sign them* When I worked
at the Southern Crystal Company I did that sort of work too*
"I never have had a job that paid me more than twelve dollars a
week. At 0oth those places I only got five."
Brother Disk looked up from his nagasinel
*Well, I only make twenty -dollars a week at the Telegraph Company*
but at least its permanent, and it's enough to pay the grocery bills
.and water, licAts and fuel. I'll tall the world this family eats a
lot.
"Mary pays the rant that is, when's she's working." he added,
Chuckling*
*Yes, end I buy all Mama's and my clothes, such as they are,
said Mary* "It's a long time since I had anything decent, though*
I certainly am tired of being poor."
"But haven't you another brother who lives here with you?" I
asked.
"Mir yes, Lai. He's the deaf one," said Mary, quite impersonal-
ly. "He's the one w, o upsets the family* He keeps ma all down*
"I've another brother, too Jack* He's married, and lives in a
little town in North Carolina, where't he's manager of the D -:le store*
*Well, Jack's always been awfully good to Bill* He paid for his
Project #4.656 Page 7
Rose D. Warble=
Charleston, S. C.
mum wmAys AND mut FAMILY.
to take a course in aecounting, and Bill passed a Civil Service
Exam., and got an appointment. Then he wouldn't take the job.
°Another time Jack bought him an aoeousticon, and when he
uses it he aan hear perfectly; but some idiot girl told him it made
him look funny, so now you can't get him to wear it. That's why
we talk so loud," she explained. 'We get in the habit of shouting
at Bill.
"He makes me sick," she said in disgusted tones.
"And he makes so muoh extra work for Hama. The rest of us
don't mind what we oat so there's enough of it. But ;AU demands
big dinners and suppers of stev.k and vegetables. Even in the morns
thee, when Dick and often rush off with just a glass of orange
juice or a cup of coffee sometime I just get a We down town on
the way to we" so as not to wake Mama after one of hoz, bad nighta
he's got to Aive a heavy breakfast, no matter what time of day he
gets up.
"It certainly is aggravatin6," she concluded with a righ• "mat,"
brightening, "it's riles he's got work an the Dredge now. He cots his
meals there and can sleep there too, If he wants. He likes the men
on the i'oat, so he stays vi6ht often, acid they have a fine timedplap.
checkers and cards at night.
"Dill's always getting a Joh and vein& off for a little while.
Than he'll acme back and stay on um for months at a time*
Penjoet fm2461
Oharlaste26:110.
Reno B.I
inak wad I get siatully atolls about having to support. a big. balky
Ma. I get wane wad than nog does. bemuse I -skip suOh a tiny
little salary, .But :lanata sorry for ”ill bean*i he's det4 and
being Mast makes hinuareemso ae as long as Mama's alive 0. and of
eoureio we want Ler to Ilve forever we Artro to pet up with his. Wm,
oweS it VOS4itii iler as asAah if it* fuss. It brings as herbs& km..
'mhos.
III wish I knew what aausea Lo r to .-istve sush terrible headashes.
Sive valet haw* a &Ater0 it ahe takes ftloJ4 at 7:',1•0-tabltal, and
attar a while they tiot better.
*I beg Mama all the Um* to see a dootmr, but she doesn't think
a headache is Laportaut sum& to worr7 CJouto Shea one of thane
selt.eaeriflein people isc, Aiver wil take ooro•,,L! Wlauselvese
8oia€t1s. ae draji atout thO.louzod, oadXinz and swoolan vflon ahem
moat, dead on %sr test. But the won't olve
*Sew mei I'm just the other was. An4 time I afet tIta least .bit
siek I run to t. doetorla *Moe. Z ot seared to die.
LW. .ieer I :A,41 kidney trouLle and I wto 117- t:A) doctor's ears for
'about throe nontic4,. Bs C114 the ill i a1r;'nr ine ieoalloos I
was a WPA worker*
°Bat utuaLly Itn quite male except tor colds* I Lars a3. et of
Waite IAMBI as if I riieht beE,ettinz one nwee she sonsltallod blowing
her nose violently in a ergepled nun beddlierehlete whisk ohs woo
Unwed fres ea slime of the maid sweater*
Pleject #.4.0385
Rose D. Workman
Charleston, S. 0.
MARY WATKINS AND HER FAMILY.
Page 8
"Cane to supper, children," said Mrs. Watkins, opening the
door into the dining roam as she spoke. We have to have it early
because Dick has to be back at the Telegraph Office at five.'
We filed out into the crowded little dining roam. Dick
courteously pulled out a chair for me, and we sat down. That is,
all sat down except Mama, who kept stirring busily about, seeing
that everyone had everything possible piled upon his or her plate,
There was a large pork ham at one end of the table; a dish of
steaming buttered potatoes at the ether; and cranberry Jelly,
pickles, a bowl of salad, and plates of broad and butter, were
generously sandwiched between. A choice of tea, coffee, or milk
was given, and gelatine and cake served for dessert.
"Mama's a good cook," said Dick apprecipively, serving himr
self to a second helping of potatoes," though we would rather have
loss to eat than have her tire herself out fixing it. But the be.
lieves in eating right, and most of our money goes an the table.
I expect that's why Mary and I keep so well."
"How do you like Mama's paintings?" asked Mar', proudly
pointing to several small water colors on the walls, and a hand.
painted vase an the buffet.
"Mama in really the talented member of this family*" she boasted.
"She's a college graduate, you know; and back in those days it wasn't
so usual for girls to go to college as it is now,
Project if6.1658
Rose D. Workman
Charleston, S. C.
MARY WATKINS AND ERR FAMILY.
Page 9
"Mama writes, too. I guess that's where I get my love of
writing. She won two medals for etaipoOtitieri at college, ohs in
her Junior year, and one when she graduated. She's written lots of
stories that are ever so much better than many of those you road in
the magazines. But she can't seem to get one published. It's all
in getting started," she sighed.
"I wish I could have one to college. I would have majored in
English if I had. Maybe I could get work on a newspaper easier if I
had a degree. hut it takes a lot of money to bring up four 'Children,
and I think Mama did mighty well to get us through High School.
"Daddy wac a cotton broker. We were well-off while he lived,
but he died so long time aLos and Mama had the whole family to take
care of, and hardly any money. She kcpt a Gift Shop once, but she
didn't make anything with that. There are so many gift shops.
"Mama wasn't raised to this kind of life, either. She was
brought up on a big plantation, and
But she's had a lot of knocks since
MOS t
"I'm going to churdh toni
was accustomed to every luxury.
ti ose da:15.
Mary said, when the meal was al
ended. "I'm a iAptist; but I guess I'm not a very strict one,
for I do lots of things that baptists are not supposed to do.
"For one thing, I love to dance, though I don't get much
op-
poz'tunity. And I love to play cards, Almost any kind of card game
appeals to me, but Mama loves Bridge best. At our last apartment it
Projset #4.8116
Rome D. Workman
Charles taus S. C
mAgx WATKINS AND HKR FAMINK*
WALls
was easy to get enough people for a rubber' most any time* I
was glad when I was working late in the Christmas rush that dhe
had congenial people to play with, for it kept her from worrying
about
'I'll take a drink too," said Marys 'but I nevor take more
than two ecoktalls* That's my limits Sometimes Mak acmes home
rather high from a party.' she added. 'bet not often. He's a
goods steady boys and brings Mama almost every cent he makes**
ne you knows, she went ons have a girl friend who is
making eighty dollars a month* I'd b. willing to work day and
night for eighty del are. It I oculd make that mush. Dick soul*
got marrieds for I scald take care of Mama OK on eighty bucks*
"hut my real ambition is to earn a hundrad dollars a month*
Then Mama and I could have acme jloodoplooking *lathes ones in a
while* At present our basks have to suffer for our stomachs*
"Our one disislpation is the movies," said Marys when we were
one* azain settled in the livinz roam* 'Every Saturdays rain or
shines Mama and 1,:;vo to the ploturea* Sometimes Mania is so tired
she ean't walks so then we get a taxi* But unless one of us is
sick in bilds we always aee a shaw Saturday afternoon*
'I de a lot of readings' she maids producing a fat volume
from a small booketwoo like l'ooka an finance best* I don't
eare mush for fiction* Mama says namash more like a man than a
Project A-2Mo
Rose D. Workman
Charleston, S. C.
MARE wvicuis APT T FAMIL.
Page 11
And he steps
to the beach most
eirl in my literary tastes'. I like a dataotivearya% ond
"And IhsAlimor121MeigligrInoliti4X Ma a one hundrod
Penendria0IMPOIRttigai Iffidliattdraless°4 =at pittrithipon thier
All foaltirldikfttmeleiriattesiirit!!
buw DeliNrgAlr a lot
kaki' *WS' sometimee*
valiffarikbeicilialbAratiklinry 'Usti= days
RAdIlpcitos the thtme I like best is to hay, my fortune
444,1 ,nrattivt:h the future holds anythine dds fie she a
ad wistfully, *towns* nothing interesting ever hapler4\to
"I get up in the morning, and eat breakfasts and go
I come home, read the papaoro and go to bed,
'If I'm workinki I help Mama round the house.
'I'd like to be married and have a home of my own' and ehildrene
But I don't go out with mon much' biomes I don't like pettink, parties,
and all the flies men I know are alscady married anyway.
'I've notb'rg to look forward too' she eoneluded sadly, 'and I'm
absolutilly dissatisfied with life*
wish I were -tore like Disko He likes to step. and he steps
a lot. His sir% friend has a ear, and they go off to the beach moat
every Saturday afterncom agamet. MOWS as Elko and he and his
girl are always going to woe dome or apth4trio
11/I got wet* MP espr that I don't often co with them an their
*flea but I milk thar4 tabs MONK SOMOtiM444. It would do her a lot
Project 0.4658
"Rose D. Workman
Charleston, S. C.
M4HY WATXINS AHD HER FAMILY.
Page 00
of good to get out in the sunshine. But people don't seem to
bother mudh about old ladies."
When the time came to leave, Mary offered to show me through
the little apartment. The late afternoon sun was till flooding
the wAndows of the bedroom, although the bask of the house was
dark.
Plainly furnished us it was, with a double bed, a,dressing
table, a closet curtained off with bright eretenne, and a couple
of chairs, the gay 'towels= and the flowers blooming an the
window -sill gave the room an air of cheerfulness.
On the dresser lay an elaborately oarved teakwood box inlaid
with mothoorelefftpearl flowers, and trailing vines.
"Mama's antique, Grentwgrandmamals Oewel box that Rherman'a
soldiers broke open when they ransacked the old home,' said Mary.
"She buried all her jewels and silver exeept some gold chains and
trinkets that wore in this box, to keep the soldiers from getting
them. They Woke the gold hinges off of the box and tool( them
along with the chains and pins left in the case, but left the box,
itself.
'Mama used to have nome lovely old jewels too,".eontimmeold
Mary, but 'Little Jennies' Memo's sleet, gradually bought then
all. Mama needed the money, and in that way they stayed in the
*Mama has a lot of old furniture stored at Little Jenniesse
Project #4855
Roes D. Workman
Charleston, S. C.
Aey TATK S AND HEr FAMILY.
Pogo 12
Sometimos the sante to send for it, but movini, around from one
apartment to another the way we do, it's better not to havo any
heavy stuff of your out.
*We at this *bolo place furnished for twenty dollars a menthe
ineluding hot water, Of course, it isn't mucih to ludic at, but it's
a lot for that =nary,
"The last place we had was muoh nicer, It was thirty-five
dollars. But when I lost my job we had to get somothine &limper,
nfama and I have this roam, and Dick sleeps an the darobod in
the sittinc, roan, Wham Bill's at home he has a sot*
'If you bear of a job, let me know, won't you? I'm a deed
typist, and I know booN0keoping.
"I can take dictation, too. I finished a course in 'Speed...
writing' at the Vooational Nizht School last yrrari. I don't like
it, thouEhip It makes me nervous.
nIslit I can write an awfully good letter without dictation, and
that's somethinc every girl can't do, So don't forget to listen out
for a joo for me."