Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / July 9, 1987, edition 1 / Page 4
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Perspectives The blue dress [ 1 hitched the strap of my purse higher on my shoulder and sorted ?rough the blouses and dresses; then examined a few sweaters lying across a countertop. There were only sis customers in the store, and it was a belief to have so much space to my sdf as well as a whole afternoon to browse. It had been a long while since deadline had lifted enough to allow such luxury of time. I made my selections, I noticed ap elderly couple enter one of the fit ting rooms with four dresses, "kice," I smiled inwardly, that a man of any age, but especially one in his 80s would actually accompany his wffe on an excursion like this. ?I narrowed my choices and entered the remaining dressing room next to them. The booths were built for the pBvacy of the eye, not the ear, so it was impossible not to overhear their conversation. Though I've changed their names for the sake of discrep ancy, I'll carry those words that drifted across that curtained was with me forever. 3'Why don't you get them all, dear," the old man suggested. "They all fit you well and look nice on you." Hjs voice was gentle, yet firm I got thj> distinct impression that he was accustomed to making the decisions iivthe family J'No!" She replied emphatically in a. -voice that wavered a bit, appar ently unaccustomed to such force, "there's no need for so much fuss, Henry,' she said in a more gentle totie "All I need is One dress. I like blue one. Besides, it's your favor ite color." 3\s I buttoned a silk blouse into pQice, my instincts told me '.hat there w>s more going on here than just a slptpping trip. >?Tm tired, Henry. Let's just get the blue one. I think it'll be perfect enough on me when my times c<$nes." J'Don't be talking like that, Millie," h?i spoke anxiously to her. The cur tain moved as if he reached out for her, striking the flowing fabric with hi$ elbow. I stood in silence, tears spilling down my face with the real ization of what was happening. "You heard what the doctor said. We could have as long as six more months together," he urged gently, his voice hushed and melowed with age. "Yes, Henry," she responded softly, "but I know it won't be that long. And I'm really tired today. Please let's get this over with so we can go on back home. I don't want to cover this up and pretend nothing's wrong anymore. I've got some things to do, some people to see, and a whole lot of plans to make." There was silence between them as they shuffled about, her redressing and him hanging the disgarded dresses on the rack on the wall. ^ "Well, I guess we might as well get me a new suit while we're here," he thought aloud, breaking the tension that filled the air. "I don't suppose that would be such ? a bad idea, Henry," she answered / immediately. "It Has been a while." As she walked slowly from the cub icle, I peeped through the curtain to get one last glimpse of the worn man I with white hair. And, the words he I whispered aloud to himself as he ' paused far behind his wife, have haunted me ever since. "In over sixty years I ain't never been without you, woman, and I don't ever plan on being. I ain't about to let you take such a long trip as this Alone. I've got a few plans of my own to make, too." And, with his head held high, he slipped his wallet from his back pocket and headed towards the cash register where she patiently waited ' for him to pay for the soft blue dress that she would be wearing when they finally took the last long trip... to gether. Federal troops stationed in Perquimans County In August, 1865, Perquimans C<ginty was conquered enemy terri tory so far as the United States gov ernment was concerned. Although lo cal authority was ostensible in the hands of a provisional government, the Union Army was the true ruling forcce. Federal troops were stationed in the county. As Nancy L. Learned, military occupation typically breeds crimes against civilians. Early one Tuesday afternoon in the middle of August fifty-five-year-old Nqjicy was alone in her home near Woodlawn plantation in Harveys Neck. A man who would later be idantified as Jack S. came to her door and asked if she had anything to sell, eggs or chickens. She replied she did not. Jack asked her if she had seen any sofiliers passing by that day. Nancy satd she had not, and inquired what soldiers he meant. Jack told her they were soldiers who had been down Harveys Neck and were going to be stationed there. He claimed he was ne of them, but the others had gotten ahead of them. jack then began to threaten Nancy, saying if he did not get what he 'wanted he or the other soldiers would kill her. As the terrified lady would testify in court, "He then came into the house, walked about awhile anf) then took a chair and sat down in frcfit of and very near my bed, upon which I was at the time lying, very sick and unable to sit up. THe again got up, walked about the rcxjm, threatened to take my life at least half a dozen times and said he was going to take one of my dresses, which was hanging in the room. I then told him to go out of my house and let my dress and my self alone, "He then came up to my bed and said 'he did bnot want the old dress' and seized hold of me. I screamed out. He said he would kill me right there on the bed if I said another. He then proceeded in his purposes and forcibly succeeded in having carnal knowledge and connexion with me upon my bed." Jack then went off, armed with a crudgel and a walking stick. Nancy thought, but could not be sure, he had a knife in his pocket. It took some time for the stricken Nancy to attract the attention of a passerby and for a pose to be gath ered. About twelve hours after the crime, Nathan Tucker, Carlton Par rish and others arrested Jack about a mile and a half from Nancy's house. While they were taking him to a mag istrate, Jack jumped a large ditch and escaped through a field. It was later learned that Jack had made his way to Norfolk. Only after a long series of requests to the military authorities in New Bern, Raleigh, Richmond, and Norfolk could the ac cused felon be brought back to Per quimans for trail. TRY CLASSIFIEDS . New Feature Beginning July 9 This feature will be called the Perquimans County Resident of the week. This feature will high light citizens of the county, their activ ities and interests. Anyone who would be interested please call or contact Gina Jepson, at the Perqui mans Weekly Newspa per at 426-5728. For best results pick zucchini nourly 'A Take time to enjoy the simple pleasures off life "Old dogs and children and water melon wine." According to balladeer Tom T. Hall, these are the only things that are really important to life. According to his song, old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes, God blesses the little chil dren before they learn to hate, and when all else fails, a good shot of wa termelon wine cures anything else. Of course, we all know there is more to life. It isn't quite as simple as this. But neither should it be as diffi cult as we often make it. I often find myself thinking of a man I knew as a child. Starting from humble beginnings, this man, at his death, was worth millions of dollars. He worked all his life to amass a for tune, to be able to afford the things in life that many believe will bring hap piness. Early in life, he and his wife worked in the fields by lantern light in order to save having to hire help. A cigar smoker, he made sure he got everything out of one possible. After smoking it down to a level where it nearly burned his lips, he would knock the fire from it and chew what remained. He approached every thing in life with his penny-pinching logic. As the years went by, he continued to attempt to remain active even though his healthand reflexes were greatly diminished. Without think ing, he stopped his truck in the road one day to look at crops in the field. He was in the middle of a sharp curve and traffic coming behind him was not able to see him until it was too late. While he wasn't killed instantly, he died later of the injuries. After living a frugal life, he left this world without a thing. All the millions he had worked so hard to accumulate were left behind for someone else to enjoy. Certainly, we should have goals in life and should strive to better our selves. We should have dreams, for without them life would be of little value. But we shouldn't allow our selves to become so involved in seek ing material things that we overlook the things that God has given us to enjoy. Nothing sums up what our out look onlife should be better than the time-worn phrase, "Take time to smell the roses." Chances are, you know someone who seems to take this philosophy to heart. And chances are, you probably wonder why this person has no "am bition," why he seems to be satisified with few of the materials things so many seem to feel are the important things in life. We have become so en grossed with attempting to be a sue- ' cess in life that we often forget to en- (0 joy it. So often I hear people complain , about how difficult it is to make it to- ? day. Whereas one could work a few , years ago and be able to afford the basics of life, now it takes two, and often, that isn't enough. Perhaps part of the reason is because our "basics" have changed. We've placed so much , emphasis on material things that we have forgotten what it is to enjoy the things we have. . ^ Years from now, when we are , ( nearing the twilight of our lives, we'll probably look back and wonder why. we didn't take the time to enjoy the " simple pleasures God has granted us. As we think about all the time we spent looking for greener pastures, v we'll probably realize the only place the grass is greener is over the septic tank. But by then it will be too late. Vepco pays county taxes ... fi a p.n._ m . d 20 YEARS AGO Vepco Presents 112,562 Check To County For Tax: J.R. Haden, Albe marle District Manager of the Vir ginia Electric Power Company, has presented real estate and personal property tax checks totaling $162,000 to county and town tax collectors in Vepco's Albemarle District. r irsi tuuun diuuiii. nuriiey o. Chappell of Belvidere called in last week and reported the first cotton bloom of the season. Mr. Chappell stated not only had he found the first cotton bloom, his entire field was blooming. Dixie Auto Supply Opens In Harris Shopping Center: The Dixie Auto Business Builders If you are a new business or a business who does not advertise frequently You can advertise weekly for as little as $1.50 Weekly for 52 Weeks *2.00 Weekly for 26 Weeks *2.50 Weekly for 13 Weeks (Copy Changes Will Be Once A Week) Call Anzie at 426-5728 the PERQUIMANS WEEKLY Established In 1932 Published Each Thursday By Tha Dally Advanc*. Eliiabath City, N.C. Sacond CIom Paataga Paid at Hartford. N.C. 27944 USPS 428-000 toWl Ri JCpSOfl Editor Auto L Wood Advertising Manager ONE YEAR MAIL SUBSCRIPTION RATES In-County *10.00 Out-Of-County 41.00 1 1 9 West Grubb Street P.O. Box 277 Hertford, N.C. 27944 Mombor North Carolina Pross Association i National Nawspapor Association North Carolina Association of Community Nawspopors Supply at the Harris Shopping Center is now open for business. Charles Ward, manager, is well known in Perquimans. He is a native and has long been in business here. Charles and Thomas Ward are sons of the NEWS COUPON The news and editorial staff of the Perquimans Weekly would like you to tell us what kind of stories you like to see in the paper. If there is something or someone you feel is impor tant ? or some provocative issue you would like us to exam ine ? please, let us know. Just clip and fill out this coupon. Include as many details as possible (Names, addressses, telephone numbers, etc.) It may not be possible for us to use some of the stories sug gested but we are always looking for new ideas. So, next time you think of something you feel would make o good story, send it to: News Coupon, Perquimans Weekly, P.O. Box 277, Hertford, N.C. 27944. STORY IDEA: manager. All three men are well known and are qualified men . Dry cleaner Is Honored Here: Liz zie Harrell, Cannon Cleaners, Grubb, r Street, was honored this week for her "s. professional drycleaning skill. ^irairraifairairfaiiraiffaifrairraiiiairfair IS COMMENTS: The Perquimans Weekly 119 W. Grubb St. Hertford 426-5729
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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July 9, 1987, edition 1
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