"If it weren't for the mercy of the people through here. I would suffer
for a drink of water. Somebody ran in on old lady Chairs and killed her
for her money. But they didn't get it, and we know who it was too.
Somebody born and raised right here 'mongst us. Since then I have been
'fraid to stay at home even.
"I had a fine five-room house and while I was down sick, my daughter
sold it and I didn't get but twenty-nine dollars out of it. She got the
money, but I never seed it. I jus' lives here in these rags and this
dirt and these old broken-down pieces of furniture. I've got fine
furniture that she keeps in her house.
"I get some help from the Welfare. They give me eight dollars. They give
me commodities too. They give me six at first, and they increased it. My
case worker said she would try to git me some more. God knows I need it.
I have to pay for everything I get. Have to pay a boy to go get water
for me. There's people that gits more 'n they need and have plenty time
to go fishin' but don't have no time to work. You see those boys there
goin' fishin'; but that's not their fault. One of the merchants in town
had them cut off from work because they didn't trade with him.
"You gets 'round lots, son, don't you? Well; if you see anybody that has
some old shoes they don't want, git 'em to give 'em to me. I don't care
whether they are men's shoes or women's shoes. Men's shoes are more
comfortable. I wear number sevens. I don't know what last. Can't you
tell? (I suppose that her shoes would be seven E--ed.) I can't live off
eight dollar. I have to eat, git help with my washing, pay a child to go
for my water, 'n everything. I got these dresses give to me. They too
small, and I got 'em laid out to be let out.
"You just come in any time; I can't talk to you like I would a woman;
but I guess you can understand me."