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Jepson Field Book Transcriptions · Jepson Herbarium
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66_6 When guests left our house, after a call or a day_s visit, especially the latter we went out to the wagons with them, to see them off and wave good-bye. So did our friends with us when we went to see them. It is a Southern custom, amongst the wealthy or the less well to-do, a universal custom. But the New Englanders and New Yorkers did not do this and I well remember how my manners failed for once. A hostess said to me very pointedly in her parlor: _Willis, we will take leave of you here._ I realized instantly that my usual habits in this manner must be revised, and new conventions at once substituted. _ Mar. 6, 1931. |
66_7 Books Books were scarce _ at least boy books. I came along in the lean and fearful and drought years of 1875-1880 or 1881 _ the time when a boy begins an interest in reading. My father thought the small family library good enough for any boy who really wanted to read: The Bible, The History of the Jews by Josephus, Fox_s Martyrs, Paley_s Evidences of Christianity, Dicks work and many others of similar character. In one way or another, I learned of other books better suited to the adventurous spirit of my mind. Occasionally the ranch workmen would have a dime novel and I would devour it. Dime novels have my highest approval to this day. I can find warrant for them in my Shakespeare. They were wonderful. How would anyone resist such thrilling |
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