Gay as a Grig by Ellen Bowie Holland

Author:Ellen Bowie Holland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Texas Press

PLATE 17. Ellen Morland Bowie (Mrs. Barney Holland) in White Castle.

PLATE 18. The Bowie home in Weatherford.

PLATE 19. Colonel George Morland Bowie.

PLATE 20. The courthouse and the union depot at Weatherford.

PLATE 21. Mrs. George Morland Bowie.

PLATE 22. William Bowie and his family.

PLATE 23. The Methodist Church and Central School, Weatherford.

PLATE 24. Sally, ready for the cross-country trip.

After a good look round these scientists directed one of their first onslaughts against the common, germ-laden housefly. One summer’s day I was walking starry-eyed in bright dreams when I stopped to watch a grocer lay a beige paper about the size of a luncheon place mat in his show window. The word “Tanglefoot” was printed upon it. This mat was spread over by a honey-colored goo that must have had an attracting odor, because immediately a fly made a jet landing thinking he could take off smartly whenever he chose. He was followed by others, zooming, circling, and lighting like—well like flies. Soon the paper was full of them, all in various attitudes of private anguish. Some sunk in the sticky mass and succumbed quickly, others revved up a buzzing that had a keening quality to it. In their panic to get away still others tore off their own wings. It was strange that the big eyes of their breed seemed unable to warn them of the stark tragedy in store for them. At least the horrible sight had justification.

You may prefer to hear no more about the subjects of germs and sanitation but I will proceed anyway to tell you about Mrs. Pearly May Tuttle, the ice wagon, a water bucket, and chewing gum.

Mrs. Pearly May Tuttle had a small fruit shop which Father passed as he neared his office. He liked to talk to Mrs. P. M. T., and often bought apples from her which he ate, unpeeled, in his office. She was no Lady Clara Vere de Vere, not soignée by any measure of the word, and once as he neared her establishment he saw her hoist up her skirt, reach for her flannel petticoat and use this somewhat grimy garment, to give a very fine polish to the lovely red and yellow apples. After that he just bought bananas.

On hot days almost the only place to get cool was the ice wagon, which children rode for blocks, eating bits of ice, clean and otherwise. We also went to school where all the children lined up at recess, three times a day, to drink from one bucket of water and from one tin dipper. While I shudder at the thought, now, I never had a contagious disease then.

Chewing gum was banned in our family and I never minded foregoing its pleasures until I learned about stretchberries. I still don’t know what plant produces them but if we put their slick skins in chewing gum, the gum could be stretched from here to there. With our grubby, unwashed school children’s hands we popped and stretched it with infinite skill as small groups gathered and competed in serious rivalry.

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