This is Icel Bell Clark at the homestead where she grew up:
There were always family members and friends visiting who were serving in the military.
One day Icel's best girl friend had some family visiting her from the far away state of Washington. They were her friend's mother's (Lakie's) sister and her husband Myrtle and Clyde Perkins and their son, Ray and one of his sisters. Ray asked his cousin, Icel's friend, if she had a friend he could step out with while he was there. She told him she could set him up with a blonde or a redhead. He said he would like the redhead.
Icel spent that evening at her friend's house. Ray played his guitar and after some encouragement Icel performed some tap dancing. Icel went to her friend's house every day after school for that entire week. On the weekend they went window shopping and such. When his family was leaving Ray told Icel he would see her again. He said he would come back but she didn't believe him. His family lived in Springdale near Spokane and that was just so far away. He didn't have a car of his own. His family were farmers. They could very rarely leave the farm.
One day as she was getting ready for school she glanced out the window and saw a car drive by. She thought it was Ray and told her family so. They laughed at her and said she was dreaming. As she was leaving the house the car drove up and lo and behold it was Ray!! He offered her a ride to school.
He stayed in Portland and found work.
On December 20th, 1935, with her parents approval, they were married. Icel wanted Ray's parents to be there too but he told her they wouldn't be able to come with the farm and all.
Icel's parents set them up in a small apartment.
to be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment