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Show 15 "We were tormented by tramps, as we were so near the railroad track, " chronicled Mama. "They would come two and three at a time begging for food. I had to be alone a great deal. My nearest neighbor was one-half mile away. "One experience was very upsetting to my nerves. That morning John had gone to Richfield with his half-brother, Joseph Moore, on business. Those were the horse and wagon days. (Richfield was fifteen miles to the north.) I watched them leave with dread about eight o'clock in the morning. I prayed for protection during the day. About t e n . .. there came a knock on the door. I had finished my housework and was sewing. I went to the door and there stood an oldj grey-haired man. He asked me for a meal. I prepared him a nice lunch and handed it to him. He was very much insulted with a "handout" and wanted to be invited into the house. He pushed me aside and came into the kitchen, sat at the table without invitation. He ordered me to make him coffee. We didn't use coffee, hence I had none in the house, so he ordered milk, which I gave him. He inquired the whereabouts of my husband. I told him he was out at the pasture and would be in at any time. I felt so defenseless I took the broom and began to sweep the floor. I thought if he should attack me, a broom stick might help me to defend myself. The tramp ate his lunch and left, only to be followed by the second tramp. He was younger than the first one. I made him a good lunch and handed it to him. He thanked me and left. In about fifteen minutes |
