A Christmas Surprise #MaryFrancesStories

 

Edward Henry Stephenson and Mary Frances Stephenson Draper

 Mama was a Daddy's Girl through and through. She had many favorite memories of her dad and I have recordings of several stories about him, which I will share as I sort through them.  

What is key is that Edward Henry Stephenson was a gentleman farmer. He courted and married my grandmother and as fate would have it, each of their familes owned a plot of land across the road from the other, which combined became our family's farm. They were yin and yang. She liked to play bridge, socialize, and gad-about-town. She needed frequent new hats. Granddaddy was more of an old salt and an old soul. To hear Mama tell it, he was an avid reader, including the News and Observer, liked a little tipple, and appreciated a new car now and then. 

On the right, Maggie Vassar Stephenson

My grandfather suffered from rhuematoid arthritis and there wasn't much than could be done for the pain except maybe the egg dram which was mostly whiskey and egg yolk. He inevitably became quite infirm. Locals would stop by to visit "Mr. Ed" or "Capt. Stepheenson" and shake his hand heartily. Granddaddy never complained about the pain of the handshake while they were there, but Mama said he cussed a blue streak when they left. 

Things got so bad with his RA, that he eventually developed gangrene in his legs and they had to be amputated from the knees down. Before surgery, he teased his pretty young nurse that after the procedure he was gonna take her for a night out on the town. As he recovered in the hospital, Mama smuggled  in the ingredients for his egg dram. (Can you imagine Mary Frances in a liquor store?)  As she was pouring the whiskey, the surgeon walked in and caught her redhanded, snatching the bottle from her hand. She was embarrassed and horrified. But then the surgeon said, "What is wrong with you? This man has just had both his legs removed. Give him more whiskey!" He proceeded to add a lavish portion to the drink Mom had been preparing. 

As my Grandfather recooperated in his home, children from the nearby school were brought by to pay him a visit. They sang some songs, and shared handmade cards before their teacher got them moving towards the door. One little boy hung back and stepped closer to Granddaddy. In a shy, quiet voice he leaned over and whispered "What'd ya cut ya feets off for?" His innocence and curiosity became one of the families cherished memories of that time. 

This recording is one Mom made in 2018 about her one of her Christmas Days around 1935. It features one of her favorite memories of her father. And for reference, $5 then is about $115 now. 

 (Just click on the blue sentence to hear the audio and let me know if you can't access. It's about a minute and a half.)

Enjoy!