4

4 Alabama
Ellawhite, Mill Village
then there wasn't no picture show or nothin' to waste
your money on."

Her cottage contains a bedroom and kitchen. Both are
spotlessly clean, the bedroom furnished with two beds a
dresser, table and radio. The kitchen contains an oil
stove, table and kitchen cabinet, the floors are clean and
white and show signs of many scrubbings.

Mrs. Osmer is the mother of ten children, all of
them married and having families except the twins, Beatrice
and Leatrice with whom she lives. Beatrice does not work
in the mill. "She is not quite right in her head," but
Leatrice is on the first shift and works from six to two,
getting three or four days a week. The family exists on
her small earnings, but after the rent and the hospital
and doctor's fee is taken out there is very little left.

"I have tried to give all my young'uns a little
education" says Mrs. Osmer. "I ain't never had a day's
schoolin' in my life. My eyes was bad and I couldn't
study so my folks put me to work. Not havin' no schoolin'
is like a dog goin' thrugh the world blindfolded and I
have been just like that all my life."

Washington Copy
10/14/38
L.H.
510