Page 111 - my-people-abbie-harris-beck

SALLY RAND

Maye and Ed Tappan were living in Atlanta, Georgia. They wanted mama, Annie
Laura and me to come up to Atlanta. They had a special play that they wanted mama to
see.
Ed was always wanting to do things, or say things, that would shock mama.
Mama's reaction tickled Ed. We were not told what it was to be. I was let in, (I was
under age) because I was accompanied by my mother!
We had front row seats. The show started. It was Sally Rand!. Mama was
horrified. The near naked girls with only fans, hiding them. Mama asked to be carried
home! Annie Laura said, "mama, Ed and Maye paid a lot for these tickets, and its a once
in-a-life-time deal".
Mama wouldn't look at first, soon she peeked between her hands. She tried to
keep me from looking. But I was sitting on the edge of my seat!
First they danced with fans, then with balloons. Ed would say, "Mrs. Harris, What
if some one stuck a pin in one of the Balloon?"
It was wonderful! Annie Laura and I had the time of our lives. We knew that we
would never see Sally Rand again . On the way home Maye and Ed explained to mama
that it was an "art". Mama just wanted the girls to have more clothes on.

THE HAIL STORM

Mama had a new car. She wanted to go show her new car to Willie who lived in
De Funiak Springs, Florida. We loaded up, Annie Laura and mama in the front in her
new chevy. Laura Anne and George and me in the back. There was a "juke joint" just
before we got to De Funiak. It was a long white building. We were almost to the Silver
Slipper when it started to rain. Then the biggest hail I had ever seen, as big as golf balls
and coming down in sheets of ice. Mama begin to pray to the top of her voice, please
God don't let it hurt my new car, oh please God don't let it ruin my new car. Annie Laura
backed the car and parked it real close to the Silver Slipper. The hail went over the car.
Annie Laura used her head and mama's prayers. The car didn't have a dent!!!

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