Lord have mercy, I cain’t believe it. Poor chile had to walk home in that terrible storm. I feel so sorry for him.
Ain’t real sorry for Daddy, however, being as he been living the life of a drunken coot since Momma gone an’ died. Still and all, it is a sadness, with him alone in that cabin and Little George just staying there with him for a few days. Poor Daddy. And poor Little George. If’n he hadn’t had the new pony it would of been Little Jimmie there instead of George. Jimmie almost a man, now, but Little George, he still such of a tender age.
I got to find him and settle him down now. Maybe Pastor can have a talk with him and help him with the troubles. Boy has had so many troubles, with his Momma and all, and his Daddy running off and leaving them so poor. Please have some mercy, Lord. How much you ‘spect one little boy to take?
Reading his note just breaks my heart. I’m going to give him a quarter for writin’ out such a good letter. I wish I could give him more.
Der Aunt Leaitis:
Sorry that I missed you. Elmer in the barn said you had gone to see Pastor Jones but I had to sleep so I am leavin’ this here note.
Grampa died last night in his sleep. I came right to tell you, like I promised I would, but I had a lot of trouble. There was a giant storm, which I ‘spect you already know, and my pony Belle was so scared I almost had to drag her instead of ride her. That 9 miles took a couple’ a hours at least, which is why I didn’t get here before you left. The creek got so filled up with storm water that the footbridge was covered over and even tho’ the lightening had mostly passed, Belle was afraid to cross the bridge. The water was half way up her legs. I knew my way real good, like you know I do, so after a little while me made out OK.
Grampa was awful quiet these last couple ‘a days. I would dip him some fresh water and put it up to his lips with a big spoon but a while ago he stopped wantin’ to take a drink. When the thunder woke me up I saw he was staring out at the rafters and that is when I saw that he weren’t breathing a’ tall. Cousin Jimmy is supposed to come in a few days and I was going to stay, but I figured I should come tell you right away.
I covered Grampa up mostly with the afghan Gramma made for him and put an old quilt over his legs, too. I left his beard out over the afghan like he always did when he was sleeping and his head is on the middle of a real good pillow.
After me and Belle started I run back because maybe I was wrong about it all, but when I saw him laying there I knew I wasn’t.
The front door is barred from the inside like you said, so go around to the back through the screen porch. I took the Winchester with me ’cause of snakes but I am leaving it with Elmer to give you.
I’m plum tired now and gotta get me some sleep. After Belle has some hay I’ll put her in the pasture, like I promised, and go on up to the attic so as not to bother anyone.
I am sorry this is in pencil, but I still cain’t write so good with a pen.
Your nephew, George
