The Diaries of Mariam Davis Sidebottom Houchens
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THE DIARIES OF MARIAM DAVIS SIDEBOTTOM HOUCHENS VOLUME 5 MARCH 14, 1944-JANUARY 23, 1946 Copyright 2011 © David P. Houchens Book 35 – March 14, 1944-May 5, 1944 1 Tuesday, March 14, 1944 I went to Cane Run School substituting for Mrs. Tostrick. The children proved to be a discipline problem. I definitely do not like primary grade work. I had the children remain at school and I went out to P.T.A.-got there about 3:20. We had a program on juvenile delinquency. Wednesday, March 15, 1944 I had to go back to Cane Run (against my wishes) and to suppose that I have to return tomorrow. The day was hectic from the start. I took the children over to the school bus as I left. Toto followed us and as I drove off they were in a state about her. In spite of my parting injunctions to them, I feared that they might have tried to save her from a car, and was disturbed about them all day. I picked up Claudine, and drove her over on her way to Halleck. 2 The children were a pain in the neck this afternoon. I don't know whether I can get through tomorrow or not. I had promised to drive Jane and to get new shoes, but when I got as far as the Gaseteria Station over by the University something happened to the brake of the car again. John was down at the Y playing handball. I finally got started after 20 or 30 minutes, but drove with difficulty- picked up Claudine again-got as far as the garage near Packard Avenue. The man worked on the break-said that the lines were clogged, but said that something must be done to the master cylinder. I paid them 50 cents, came home, got the children, and after four o'clock started to town. Tote followed again-way up Hess Lane-and we had to turn around bring her home and put her in the house. We did get to town, bought black patent strap shoes-size 2 1/2 B, for Jane at Byck's- $5.00. We came back by the library - got "The Counterpane Fairy", "Just So Stories" by Kipling, "Dr. Doolittle" and some fairy stories by Howard Pyle. There was a letter from Betsy here at home, and a card from Mother. She and Cousin Ola had gone to see "Come Home Lassie" Monday night, after I told her how Jane cried. We had White Castle hamburgers for dinner-favorites of the children. Poor Mame passed away at one this morning. Jane received the message from Mrs. Curry before I got home. Thursday, March 16, 1944 Today at Cane Run wasn't at all good. The little girls were all right and Mrs. Hicks, the principal was nice, but the boys worried me sick. They got completely out of hand after the bus (first) went this afternoon. It was with great satisfaction that I received a call from Mrs. Hicks about five to say that Mrs. Tostrick will be back tomorrow. Mr. Farmer called shortly afterwards and I told him that I shall be glad to teach for him tomorrow. I met Claudine at Fourth and Winkler and we went by Mame's. She looked very sweet in a delicately soft pink dress-very thin though she was. Ollie and Mrs. Newton were bearing up very well. The funeral service is tomorrow afternoon. We came on to the Brownie meeting. When we got home, Jane and I, I found that Stella had done a very nice job washing the kitchen walls. David had come home at 1:15, stayed at Bellis' after Stella left until we got home. John went with the Curry's to Mame's tonight, then on to school. 3 Friday, March 17, 1944 During the last-minute frenzy of getting ready for departure this morning the children remembered that it was St. Patrick's Day. We had already garbed Jane in green without pre-- meditation by accident, so to speak, but David had to change his jersey and have a green bit of ribbon on his lapel. I rode the bus to Camp Taylor-got on very nicely. My homeroom was Mrs. Davis' eighth grade, and I taught the departmental English and health and a class in agriculture. I got a ride to Phillip’s Lane with a teacher, then walked home getting here shortly after the children. Saturday, March 18, 1944 Rain poured this morning. I got Alice to exchange music lesson times with Jane, so that the latter took hers at 8:30, Alice at 9:30 (just today) so that the children and I could get started to Dr. Hudson's. Even so it was 20 of 11 when we got there and there wasn't a seat in the waiting room. I had asked John to meet us at the Seelbach at 12:30, but when he finally called us at a quarter of two we were just ready to leave the doctor’s office. Dr. Hudson said that David has very poor muscle tone (in his arms and wrists as well as his legs). Be also said he didn't look to be in very good condition and he doesn't. His legs are thin. His feet are improved some, but he is definitely knock-kneed. John finally met us at Byck's and we got him [David] new 12 ½ C high shoes of the same build as usual. John took the children on a home and I stayed in town a while- brought another suit out from Besten's, but five dollars cheaper-yet a beige gabardine practically like the other but smaller. Thelma had invited us for dinner tonight. I came on home and we went down. Mrs. True was there. We had chicken dinner -- good. Peggy is growing up into a little girl now. I read about 12 chapters of Dr. Doolittle to David at the doctor’s today. Sunday, March 19, 1944 Snow, rain, sleet, cold, icy streets. I was so behind with things at home that I didn't go to S.S. but John and the children did. Today has been uneventful. Alice ate waffles for supper with us. I finished. "Dr. Doolittle" and "The Counterpane Fairy" and read some of Kipling's "Just So" stories. 4 Monday, March 20, 1944 The day has not been an auspicious one. Yesterday afternoon about two Miss Martin, principal of the Morris School opposite the General Hospital asked me to substitute in 6A and 6B. I accepted. Then this morning Mr. Coslow called me for social studies and I had to decline. Miss Butler had also called me last night for some outlying school. John warned me that the discipline problem would be bad in that school. Yesterday's snow and ice had solidified until the trees and shrubs were shrouded in ice. I rode with the men, Grover Corley driving, as far as Eastern Parkway; and there got the bus. It was Miss Current's room. The children told me when I arrived that they had three substitutes last week. Things start started off badly. A boy named Willie Joe started making trouble, but I sent word to Miss Martin and she came up and talked to him. After that he was nice. A boy named Harry, one named Robert something, and especially one named Bobbie Harris made trouble. They threw chalk, were out of their seats, talked aloud across the room, and Bobby Harris in spelling wrote on the board, "Madam, I hate you". At lunch (12:40) I told Miss Martin that they were giving me trouble. She told me that I must let them know that they could get away with nothing. When I went back upstairs with them (she had told me to read to them), I told them that we would have a quiz game. The same Bobby Harris started making trouble though, and was eating a sandwich. Without anger, but desperate for order, I thought that I would make an example of him, and I went over and pulled his hair. Before I knew what was happening he struck me three times with his fist-the first two times I'm not sure where - the second in the chest. I was quite overcome. The chest blow particularly hurt. "Now you've done it" someone said to him. He had knocked my pin off. He said "Wait till I show this scratch that you gave me". "How", I questioned. "With your fingernail", he replied. I told him that it was my pin which he had knocked off, for I knew that my fingernail had not come in contact with him. I had touched only his hair. The room became very still. I sat at the desk, overcome, hurting from the chest blow. Once I stood and asked the class who was in the right or wrong-he or I. To a boy and girl I think that they spoke for me. One little girl volunteered to go down and bring Miss Martin up to tell her what Bobby did, but I couldn't think what was best. Feeling tears coming on I could stay in the room no longer and walked out, without looking back. I went to Miss Martin's office on the first floor-the room was on third, and I am ashamed to say-burst into tears. She went up, after first telling me that she was sorry I pulled his hair.