Читать книгу Dear Me Sudz: The Life and Times of Addie May - K.W. Attle Jr. - Страница 13

Chapter 7

Getting Reacquainted

Funny, Will mused following his nose toward his horse and cleaning up its droppings. He tried to remember how long it had been since either of their families had had any social contact. True, they were distant relatives living on opposite sides of town, yet there was something about Addie that stuck in his mind, and he determined to find an excuse to drop by and talk with her soon.

Soon it turned out to be nearly three years. Installing telephone wires was a job best suited to do in a warm weather. With electricity coming into the town of Bangor, Will found it profitable during the winter months to install electricity in individual homes. Most of the houses were small—four rooms at most, kitchen, two bedrooms, and a parlor. The bathroom was the little unpainted square building behind the house. It’s use was mostly daytime. At night, a “chamber pot” was beside most beds so one did not need to brave the elements or the wildlife taking care of necessities. Most houses had open walls, seldom was there insulation. If there was, it was old newspapers. Running wire along the ceiling and down on a stud was the usual practice, keeping the majority of the wire tucked away unnoticed. If the house had two rooms or was simply open, the line would be a straight wire from the outside connection to the center of the room. Having just one light dramatically improved the lifestyle of the family, especially during the winter when the sun went down so early enabling the family to read, play table games, put together puzzles, or occasionally homework.

The main drawback to his work, Will quickly discovered, quite often required him to harness up the horse, connect it to the wagon, then travel several miles in all kinds of weather for supplies. Being a man of good common sense, he decided to invest in a store. He found one in Potsdam, Fifty Market Street. It was not only a storefront but had an apartment above it. His supplies could be shipped in, thus saving him two days travel and the benefit of the two days’ labor required for each trip. It required foresight in making his orders to have ample stock available. One day while in the back room collecting supplies, Addie stepped through the door and inquired,” Is anyone here?”

“I’ll be right there,” Will answered not recognizing the voice. Presently, he came through the door carrying a large box filled with switches, outlets, black tape, and wire. Surprised at seeing Addie, he laid the box on the counter saying, “My goodness, you are the last person in the world I expected to see. How are you and your family?”

Addie smiling at his surprise, answered, “All of us are just fine. My work is done for the day, and I heard you had opened this place. I thought I would stop by and say hello.”

“I was just thinking about you,” said Will taking in her attire. It was simple, elegant, and appealing. “It’s been quite a while since we spoke last. How are things at the courthouse?”

“It’s been quiet. My, this place smells stuffy. It could use a good cleaning,” said Addie. I have some free time, and I’ll help you do cleaning if you have the time.”6

“Yes, been here five weeks now, mainly building and stocking shelves. I hope to open the counter soon so customers can come in for their needs,” replied Will, using his red-checkered handkerchief to dust off the table and chairs he had set against the wall. Come sit a spell.”

Addie and Will spent the next two hours talking about their respective families. “So are you married yet?” Will finally asked.

“No, and have no prospects. There’s a shortage of eligible men around here,” replied Addie. “What about you?”

“Same story, only no women either,” said Will, which brings up this question. “Just how are we related?” Dad said we are third cousins. Do you know what that means?”

“Well, let’s see,” Addie said thoughtfully.” I think our great-great-grandparents were brother and sister or, perhaps, sisters, not quite sure. That’s a long, long time ago. No one in the family seems to remember that far back. My father barely remembers his grandfather, much less his great-grandfather. Mother vaguely remembers her great-grandmother.” There was a long pause, broken when Will said, “I’ve been thinking. Here we are both in the same mess, why don’t we spend some time together? It seems we have a lot in common. Surely our blood lines are far enough apart so this won’t matter.”

“This is true,” said Addie, “no one on my side of the family knows where your side starts. It’s just been passed down that we are third cousins.”

“That’s about the way I heard it,” Will said. I think I’ll start writing down our heritage so there will be a record.”

“That is a good idea. Now let’s get busy and clean this place up,” said Addie as she opened her pocketbook pulling out the apron she always carried in it. “You do have a broom, soap, water, and a pail?”

“Yes, and some vinegar and old newspapers to use cleaning the windows,” replied Will.

Little more was said the rest of the afternoon other than the discovery that both were born on the same day, just five years apart. After Addie left, he went back to restocking shelves.

Both had busy schedules, but for the next three years, they spent their free time together, building a relationship that would last the rest of their lives. On March 18, 1911, they were married.

Note: The ad for the store appeared in the Potsdam-Herald-Recorder of July of 1915. Similar ads appeared for years previous. Other stories in this chapter appeared at various dates.