Story No. 1 – Lessons continue | Grandma’s Stories

Jun 12th Story No. 1 – Lessons continue

When we went to the “Orphan Home” to live in the middle of October – that meant that we would only be there maybe “FOUR MONTHS” – since the “TWINS” due date was expected to be “FEBRUARY” 1946? So, the time sure seems to be short enough and then we would all be “HOME” together with the new babies? This was not to be, as I will tell you how these types of situations take a different turn in “real” life!

As soon as you come into the “Orphan Home” – you are put with the rest of the children – I, just a little girl was on the “GIRL’s” side of the building and some nice girls give you the up-date as to where you are going when they all are to leave the “PLAY ROOM” – like at meal time – heading for the dining room in a two by two column – having assembled in the correct order and having said prayers for that time of day.

Each child is also assigned some kind of work to do – and my assignment was on the ground floor –Cleaning the sinks in the wash area –wipe down the tile walls with some kind of benzene which gives a real nice shine – mop corridor floor everyday – once a week scrub the floors getting down on your knees –and cleaning the toilets with your bare hand and some old clothes. I was not the only kid doing all these things – but one of about ten kids. The cleaning of the inside of the toilet bowl was the one thing my MOTHER could not understand – why a small child my age had such a job and without protection?

There was only one “VISISTING Sundays” a month and maybe on the second or third visit we had – when my MOTHER ask me “what all do you do there?” I naturally told her about the whole listed above jobs – and when I made mention of the toilet cleaning – she wanted that information as clear as possible – since she would never ask a small child to clean toilets, without proper training and protection against germs? When my Mother got home from the “ORPHANAGE” – she immediately typed a letter to the “CIVIL COURTS” and let them know what kind of work I was doing and that there had to be some changes made! The Courts received that letter Monday and the Courts called the “ORPHANAGE” – and Tuesday morning – we get up at 5:30a.m. – have to be in Chapel at 6:00a.m. – Within that half hour – we go to the wash room – then to the play room where the lockers are with the school uniforms – which we put on and sit at our assigned places at the tables and benches – all of this is done in complete silence.

At just the right time – we assemble two by two’s and wait till ready and there are prayers to be said – then we march out of the play room into the corridor that leads to the chapel. All the girls – first graders, followed by each of the grades and some girls who have graduated from eight grades but have not as yet left the “ORPHAN HOME” – immediately Sister Alvira said, “STOP” and she walks toward me , “MARY ELLEN, what are you telling your Mother about cleaning the toilets”! “You are to be seen and not heard from” “Stop telling lies to your Mother!” She then slaps me back and forth across the mouth – I am crying and trying not to cry – everyone is looking at me the new kid who does not know you cannot tell your parents anything detrimental – especially if it will be reported to the “COURT system!”