By Beverly Hart Jum rode tall in the saddle as he entered the town of Lightning. Some folks thought the community of 300 people was destined to be a center of trade. Already boasted a bank and grocery store and 3 churches, but the train bypassed Lightning by ten miles. Jum thought that would keep Lightning from developing. What did he know He knew her name was Madge. He knew little else about her. No need in knowing more as there was little chance he would see her again. It never occurred to Jum that he could be considered handsome. At twenty-six years of age he stood well over six foot with blue eyes that sparkled in stark contrast to the dark coloring of his Cherokee heritage. Jum had little time for ladies as he helped Ma as much as he could. That was his choice; not Ma’s. Ma said she could take care of herself. Ma said God would provide. Jum hoped so; they sure couldn’t count on Pa. Matter of fact, no one even knew where Pa was most of the time. Pa would show up when they had all decided he was dead for sure. Fact was that Ma had six kids and no man in the house. Ma took in washing and ironing and cleaned houses. Sometimes, she chopped wood with Jum. Ma sure could work considering she weighed less than 100 pounds. Jum couldn’t concentrate. He wondered if he was “normal.” He shouldn’t be that nervous about meeting this girl. His mind wandered as he thought about his recent date with Chantelle. Jum decided he STILL didn’t know what made her so persnickety. He had acted like a gentleman, leastways how he thought gentlemen were supposed to act. Not that he had ever seen a “real” gentleman, much less been around one for any length of time. He had arranged it so everything would be perfect when he went to call on Chantelle. Everyone knew the smithy had the prettiest horse-drawn buggy in Smithville. Jum worked for the smithy one week in exchange for the use of the buggy for one afternoon. Jum had dressed in his best clothes before going to Chantelle’s house. She was ready to go when he arrived. “No, you don’t really need to meet my parents,” Chantelle had said. ” That really isn’t necessary. We, modern girls don’t go in for that old fashioned stuff any more.” Jum thought he really should meet her folks. But, Chantelle ought to know. She had fixed a picnic lunch. Jum thought the basket was not like any basket he had ever seen. This one had cloth in it and there were plates and cups and silverware packed in it. And the food! Why, he had never seen so much fried chicken, potato salad, and apple pie! Jum remembered feeling guilty and wishing Ma and the kids could have shared it. But, he didn’t say a word about that to Chantelle. After eating, Chantelle wanted to ride in the buggy. Time sure went quickly. Five hours had passed before he knew it! Chantelle did say she needed to be heading home before too long. He drove up the river to Lightning before turning the buggy east toward Smithville. As they neared Smithville, Jum thought Chantelle seemed sort of jittery or nervous. “Chantelle, are you okay?” He finally managed to say. “Why, yes,” Chantelle replied. “l was just wondering. You haven’t said much the last two or three miles.” ” Well, to be honest, I really do need to find a rest room pretty soon.” she said. Jum remembered replying, “Whatsa matter? Ya tired?” He would carry the look on her face to his grave. How was he to know that was what city folks called an indoor bathroom? He had heard of them, but he had sure never seen one! Chantelle told him that the Smithville Chamber of Commerce had a rest room. They were within two blocks of it. Shortly, Jum stopped the buggy and helped Chantelle get down. After Chantelle returned, Jum took her home. He didn’t ask her if he could see her again. And here he was on his way to meet another girl! Jum’s cousin, Ben, had just married a girl from Arkansas. Ben’s bride had two sisters; the youngest was unmarried and living with Ben and his wife. Jum sort of had the idea her father had sent her to Oklahoma to encourage her to quit seeing someone in Arkansas. He also had heard rumors of fur collars, silk stockings, and patent leather shoes. Jum had also heard that Madge’s dad had lost almost all his savings in the “Crash”. Depression is what politicians were calling it. Just what he needed, to play second fiddle to someone he had never seen! Jum figured Ben really just wanted him to give him and his bride an afternoon alone. Okay with Jum. Jum knew it would take a miracle for him be able to support a wife as long as Pa wasn’t around. He also knew he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t help Ma and the kids. Before he knew it, he found himself at Ben’s house. They were all sitting on the front porch. When he dismounted, he knew immediately which was Madge. Madge had brown wavy hair, big gray eyes and she acted like she wanted nothing to do with him! When she stood up, she didn’t even come up to his shoulder. He was 6′ 4″ and she was at least 12 ” shorter! Jum did not have the money to rent a fancy buggy to take this lady for a ride. “Would you like to go for a walk?” he finally asked her. “Sure”, she said. They left the horse in the lot beside the barn and took off toward town. Jum noticed how she had to really work at keeping up with his stride, so he slowed without saying a word. If she noticed, she never mentioned it. Cousin Ben lived in tiny Lightning, so it didn’t take long to walk the length of Main Street. “Would you like to walk to the creek?” Jum asked. She sure didn’t say much, he thought. Couldn’t tell if she was upset or just quiet. Gosh, Jum sure wished he knew more about women! After walking about about thirty minutes, they reached the creek and decided to sit on the grass and rest a bit. Jum couldn’t help but think that this girl was different from Chantelle, but every bit the lady. A lady would never want to see Jum again. He couldn’t blame her. Might as well enjoy the afternoon, he thought. “Do you have a family?” Madge asked. Jum thought about lying. But, he had to be honest. “Well, yes, I do. I have a Ma and 6 younger brothers and sisters. I don’t live with them. I do help them a lot.” “Is your Pa dead?” she asked. Natural question, Jum thought. “No, he ain’t dead. Least if he is, we don’t know it. He just isn’t around much.” Quietly, Madge said, “You know, a man that will take help take care of his Ma and little brothers and sisters is a True Gentleman.” Jum couldn’t believe his ears. A lady thought he was a gentleman! He had never been so happy in his life! Just to have Madge by his side as he walked her home. Somehow, he knew this was not the last time he would be seeing Madge. Perhaps Ma was right after all. God would provide. Another true story written about the author’s parents. Set in the midst of Depression Poverty, true family values triumph! Beverly Hart writes about the people she knew and the stories they told. Names are changed but the stories are real. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverly_Hart http://EzineArticles.com/?Jum-Meets-A-Lady-From-Arkansas&id=457621 bible that codes such free but software that god’s got good than news her in were the up bible after church must building have for him sale our memphis and tn their velvet both acid to christ, since church into of them acid on lyrics where
