Of course, the incident was to be repeated from time to time. But not with the frequence that one would expect with the unlim- ited opportunity.

I had nearly finished high school when my uncle lost his job. I had no inkling that he was planning to move his family to the Middle West. Nor did I learn of the discussions going on between my uncle and aunt and my father and mother. They wanted me to go with them either then or join them after I graduated. Mother was willing and thought there'd be much more chance of my finding a good job. But Dad was dead set against it and he won out. And so it was that I was not to learn of their plans until it was time for them to pack.

She ex- My aunt packed a suitcase of her clothes for me. plained to my folks that she just didn't have room for it and she'd like me to keep it for her until she sent for it so that if I were reasonably careful I could keep them right in my room at home. Jobs were hard to find in our area but I was lucky finding one to go to right after finishing school. It didn't satisfy me and I only kept it three months. Again I was lucky to go right on another job the next day. But I was only to stay at home eight months before taking a job in another state slightly over 100 miles from home.

So I guess you could say that this ended the childhood of my life and the next years should be grouped by themselves.

I boarded with a widow, her daughter just entering high school, and an old maid school teacher. They were very nice to I made no effort to help with the house work--even to clean- ing my room. But I did always make my own bed and carry my dishes from the dining room to the kitchen when I had finished eating.

me.

In a new area where no one knew me at all, I thought I'd try to act more normal, over-come my shyness with girls, and date around. I bought a motorcycle and had the use of the ladies car with whom I boarded. She did everything she could to help along any romance she thought might be in the offing.

She provided me with little inexpensive gifts for my girl friends like home-made candy, but I wasn't very successful.

We

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