The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-12-15

10 p. m. we found mother and
father sitting by the Christmas
tree talking. We were hungry
and promptly went to the kitchen
to see what we could find.
Father came out to brew the
coffee-no one could make it quite
the way he did. Between innun-
cradle cups of coffee, resolutions
for the new year were drawn up
and made public, and then we
were off to bed.
Soon after 5 the next morning,
mother ran into my room and
into that of my sisters, calling us
to come quickly-that father was
very sick.
Shaking so that we scarcely
could walk, we went to fathers
room, where he didn't even recog-
nize us. At m. the doctor
called in was leaving the house, as
he could do nothing more.
So dawned a new day in our
home.
r II
THE responsibilities that pre-
l. viously had been shared now
rested heavily upon mothers
shoulders. Problems came thick
and fast. The oil heater wouldn't
work. the plumbing gave out and
had to be replaced; not much
later the tile roof had to be re-
placed.
Mother was quiet and uncom-
planning throughout, although she
had numerous new duties, to
many of which she was wholly
unaccuStomed. AS usual, mother
managed like major.
In the midst of a saddened
household, romance was lurking.
1t had it's beginning in Deem
Der, 1929, when Earle drove
mother and me to Indianapolis
to attend a musical party being
given by the M Sigma Phi Med
ical Sorority, to which we be-
longed.
Rheta played the violin at the
party. Her cute way of playing,
together with her bright red hair,
her pretty, animated face, and her
petite form instantly captivated
my brother.
Find out who she Is" he
begged mother, II want to meet
her"
Mother, always Cupid's great
co-operator, found out. Also,
she found out someone who would
introduce him.
That was the last we saw of
Earle that evening. But next
morning, on the drive back to Chi
cago, he told us that he had
escorted Rheta home and ex-
tracted from her a promise to
answer his letters.
For the next two and a half
years, we-mother, Mary and I
had a lot of fun, keeping abreast
with their romance. At times,
the postman seemed unusually
Slow-to Earle. But when, at last.
he arrived, bringing the antici-
pated letter from Indianapolis,
Mary or I would ask:
How does she end it, Earle?"
However, he never deigned to
satisfy our curiosity. He was
madly in love with the charming
young violinist and her letters to
him were strictly private.
n II
NNE August morning in 1929 ne
~ became more confidential. We
were having breakfast when the
poStman brought letter from
Rheta. And mother, noting the
worry lines that appeared on
Earle's forehead as he finished
reading it, inquired:
Whats the matter, Earle?"
''Is she giving you the gateP"
Mary piped up.
We laughed at that, for it was
well known in the family that the
way to Rheta's heart was over no
boulevard. She was a pretty, tall
ented girl and, as such, had plenty
of admirers.
"She says" Earle said, "that if
I don't get to Indianapolis the
next time write I'm coming, L
needn't ever come"
Mother nodded, full Of SYM
pathy. Well she knew that the
reason Earle had failed to keep
some of his long distance dates"
with Rheta was because of her
own business affairs. He was act
ing as her agent in settling dads
affairs.
Il think. Earle said mother at