My Valley
Since this is a Presidential year, (1948) I may as
well start off with Grover Cleveland's election in 1885, for that was a banner year for
all Democrats. The Republicans had elected a president for twenty- four years and now it
was time for the Democrats to rejoice. My folks were all Democrats and a goodly number of
other Valley folks, so at that time I was a good Democrat too. Of course we must
celebrate, so a big demonstration was planned with the Waverly band to head a
"torchlight parade" and hot speeches at Eureka Hall later. I remember that we
illuminated our house by inserting candles in small potatoes and placing one in each
window pane. All of which the other good Democrats did so our little village presented a
gay appearance when the parade stopped before each lighted house, the band played and the
people gave three cheers for the occupant, our hearts were full nigh to bursting just as
though we had been responsible alone for the Democratic victory. The Republicans didn't
feel so good. They had their houses darkened and some bad boys were mean enough to hang
crepe on certain gateposts.
The commotion and talk didn't end with the parade. There were still the "spoils of office" to be divided, the chief of which was the post-office in the hands of the Kiersted family many years- as I recall Hiram Post and later Mac Kiersted. Uncle John Gillespie became the chief contender and in due course of time came into possession of the coveted prize which he immediately moved to the store of John Lang. Now this John Lang was a crusty individual who had a habit of scolding people when they came into his store as customers. Sugar was his principal grouch because the profit was so small. When anyone came in for granulated sugar, he would mutter as he dived into the back room where the sugar barrel was kept, "If I had my way there wouldn't be one pound of this stuff sold." Just as if all this grumbling could help matters any. The poor man was sick and ailing so we have to excuse him somewhat. He always made a great to- do over getting up from his chair to hand out mail to people as they came to the post-office in Uncle John's absence, not thinking that he got more trade from the post-office being located in his store.
Once I recall going with Uncle Howard to Lang's store to pick out a pair of spectacles and when Mr. Lang handed out a tray of varied assortment, Uncle Howard proceeded to try on pair after pair testing each one by a newspaper lying on the counter. When he found a pair to suit his eyes he laid down a silver quarter, picked up his purchase and we walked out without benefit of oculist, optometrist, or optician. This by the way was the usual procedure for anyone who needed glasses.
Another time Uncle Howard gave me a quarter to buy a dress for a new baby that had arrived at the home of one of his workmen. So off I trudged to Lang's and picked out of all things, two yards of bright figured pink calico. I thought it beautiful but when I showed it to Uncle Howard he did not seem very enthusiastic over my choice, although he said nothing and I went on my way undismayed to present my gift. However, the baby girl grew to be 2-3 years old before I ever saw her wear my dress.
Characters
Mongaup Valley had many odd people in its environs. These in the light of present day are known as "Characters". John Cornell was one of these. He was dubbed the "Deacon" although to my sure knowledge he never darkened a church door, nor made any pretense to religion. He was a carpenter by trade and beside the ability to build houses and barns, he was a most helpful member of the community. Whenever a death occurred, the Deacon was the first person sent for to "lay out" the corpse. I never heard of his refusal to come on call and I never knew of his demanding a fee for this service. When Uncle Howard died, very unexpectedly of heart disease, the Deacon was right on the job not even waiting to be sent for. His one failing was prevarication- "tall stories" which undoubtedly came from too vivid an imagination. He hailed originally from Green County in the Catskills where large quantities of maple sugar and syrup were made. His one classic was of sending Queen Victoria a cake of maple sugar so big it was caked in a wooden washtub. The fact was that he told so many tales of his own prowess that no one believed them. His friends always smiled and forgot. His wife Polly was a fine woman, hard worker and good friend, and when she died the Deacon was most bereft, but his buoyant nature soon lifted him out of his troubles and his marriage with a widow who brought him a family of three soon lifted him out of his despondency. Annie was a young lady, Bob and Regina, near my age, were warmly welcomed into the young people's "circles" in the Valley. Jeanie as she was known, was a beautiful girl who attracted the attention of one Jim Hill of New York to whom she was married one fine day in Autumn and all the girls were bidden to the wedding. This was the first event although not the first marriage in our set, Gertie and the young doctor, Wellington Steel had been married some time previously but very quietly with only members of the family present.
| This page has been visited |
|
times |
Designed by Alexander Pereluka - "Orion Service"