REALLY GET TO MEET MY FUTURE WIFE

Thanks to “Texas 42”

In January of 1959 we hosted a youth rally at Rosebud.   I often entertained the young people at such events.   I played the guitar and sang comic songs, with a few more serious songs thrown in. 

I also did a rube comedy monologue.   I had created a character whom I called “August Horsetrough.”  I asked someone in the church to sew orange sleeves into a gray shirt.  I wore pants that were too short and too big in the waist.  The bottom of my pants leg struck me about mid-cal, f and I managed to hold them up with suspenders.  I put on an old hat, and wore a pair of brogan shoes.  The monologue went over big with the kids, but Ann wasn’t impressed all that much.   My second introduction to Ann wasn’t all that great.  If she was not impressed then neither was I. I thought she was a passive wallflower without much to say.   Boy, did I ever misjudge her.

Had it not been for a telephone call from Ruth Walker, a mutual friend, our relationship might never have become a reality.  As a matter of fact Ruth called the very next day.  She said,  “We’re having a forty-two party (a popular Texas domino game) at our house, tonight.  Would you like to come?”

I said,  “Ruth, I’d be glad to, but I have a date.  May I bring my date.”  Little did I know that the whole party was being planned for the purpose of getting Ann and me together.  Ruth couldn’t tell me that, and she couldn’t tell me not to bring my date, so I accepted the invitation. 

When I got there, I noticed that Ann was among the guests.  I also met her brother, Robert.  Robert was invited so Ann would have a partner.   During the course of the evening the group managed to make Ann and I partners.  I didn’t realize they were frequently meeting in the bedroom to plan strategy.  They didn’t fool my date.  She knew what was going on.  In fact everybody in the room knew what was going on except me, but Ann and I did get to spend a little together, and for the first time we made positive impressions on each other. Everybody in the room knew that the purpose of the party was to get Ann and me together except for me.