Cape Breton's Magazine

try. And she said, "This is my sister Lex? ie, Frank." That was it. I looked up at him, and he looked at me. And we talkedo I don't know what I said or anything else. He went over to my sister and he said, "What are you going to do, keep Lexid there all the time?" And she said, "No, I'll get somebody else to go on the punch? bowl." So he came around the other way through the hallway and took me by the hand, and beckoned to a chair. He sat on it, and he pulled me on his knee, and the chair collapsed. You know, he weighed 200 pounds. So there we were sitting on the floor. The party went on and on and on. He said, "I suppose you'll soon be getting married, too." I said, "I don't think I'll ever get married." He said, "Oh yes, you will--you're going to marry me." (But it was 10 years before you got mar? ried. Why did you wait all that time?) Well, I was in no hurry to get married. I was young, I had lots of time. I only just got away, and was away a couple of weeks. I wanted to see what kind of life it was, and this and that and the other thing. He lived at home with his father and mother. He really was needed too at home. And I needed to earn some money and be a help to my parents. (So for 10 years the two of you kept these separate jobs. He was work? ing at the Chevrolet, and you were working living with this woman. And you would see each other.) Oh, yes. (Often?) Well, some? times not for very long.... She got so she thought she owned me and possessed me and everything. And of course I had to go with her, and nothing doing, nobody else would do. So I took the leave of absence and I went to work in the war plant. She had 6 nurses during that time. And she had kept a diary of every one of them--what was wrong with them and what they didn't do and what they couldn't do. She had all this for me when I went back to take care of her. (So you did not mind not rushing into mar? riage .) No, no. Frank, wherever I was, he came to see me there. But I was having a good time. I went to dances, went to danc? ing school. (With Frank?) No. With girls. And meet fellows at the dances. Streetcar travel then, you know, nobody owned a caro (So you were almost 30 before you got mar? ried.) I was 28. (And that didn't trouble you.) No. Look, when I was 28 I looked like 16. I always kept young looking. (So you didn't feel you had to get married.) No, no. (Did you have any children?) No children. And my sister passed-away. Oh, Frank had the patience of Job with me. I took care of my sister until she passed a- way. And there was the little boy two years old. My poor brother-in-law was heartbroken. So I went away down and kept house for him all that summer. Manchester- by-the-Sea. And I told Frank, "I can't get married this summer. I have to take care of Ra3niiond." It's funny how things turn out. I loved that child so much, that if anybody attempted to harm him, I'd kill him. And he loved me just the same. He nev? er knew he had a mother. He just had this . great love for me.... (So you got married in....) 1922, in Octo? ber. We went on to New York on a hone3niioon. I didn't like New York. Continued Next issue Lexie O'Hare's Story Will Continue in Issue 43 Our thanks to Pam Newton, Point Edward, who first suggested we talk to Lexie O'Hare, and to Anne Comfort- Morrell for her help in preparing this article.