15

15.

responsible person was appointed as chairman and he passed the
paper around to everybody. Each one wrote down by his or her name
the amount they felt like giving. Then the paper was taken to the
office and the money was turned over to the chairman in charge, and
was spent for the purpose it had been raised for. When we were paid
off, the amount we had subscribed was deducted from our pay envelopes.
In sickness we helped out from the things we had at home.

"One boy that had a wife and child, contracted t.b. and we
begged him to give up his work for we knew he couldn't live long. He
felt like he just couldn't afford to quit work, but finally we over-
persuaded him and he did quit. We boys took enough out of our own
wages to make up the wages he had been getting, and gave it to him
on each pay day as long as he lived, which won't long. After his
death we gave that same amount to his wife and child 'til she was
able to go to work.

"I don't never expect to see times like that again, and I
wouldn't have them if I could. In them days, folks didn't crave the
dollar like they do now, but I must say that this old world is a
better place to live in now, in many ways. If anybody had told us all
these modern conveniences would be invented and come into use we
wouldn't have believed 'em. Yes, it's much better now, if only the
people would be more contented with what they have."

The 4:50 train was passing. Mr. Hunt stopped talking for a
moment as he looked in the direction of the train, then said: "We
call that little train the 'hooker,' because it's so small. My mother

1770