Page 91 - my-people-abbie-harris-beck

WILLIE AND MAYE

Willie
Willie always had a book in her hand. No matter what she was doing she was reading a
book. Papa and mama laid down a rule , no reading at the table. This rule lasted all
through our years at home, to this day I can not read at the table. After high school Willie
was sent to North Carolina to a Mrs. Whites finishing school for a year. She stayed with
Uncle Abe and his family while going to school.

MAYE

She was one of the children that matured early. She had two friends that were friends
through childhood and into later years. They were Florence Justice, and Charity Black. A
new school house was being built in Geneva. These 3 friends would walk to the school
being built to watch the work. A young man working on the building begin to come over
to flirt and tease the girls. Soon the young man and Maye begin to see more and more of
each other. Maye was just 14. Dr. Justice over heard Florence tell Charity that Maye and
Ed Tappan, the young man were planning to run away to get married. Dr. Justice told
papa. Of course papa and mama hit the ceiling . Maye just 14, still a child ! Maye slipped
around to see Ed. Papa talked with Dr. Justice and he told papa let them get married.
Mama just couldn't agree finally she said OK. They were married at Dr. Justice's home,
which later became the E.C. Boswell home, it still stands. I was 3 and remember mama
getting me dressed to go and crying.