The Red Box

When Mrs Monroe's health failed, Sally, age 12, the oldest child, got the task of raising her siblings. After years of disciplining her sisters and brothers and laboring in the fields, her youth was gone. At age twenty-two she dreamed of wedlock. Aunt Jessie learned of an eligible suitor and had him call on Sally.

He was overdue. Wasn't he coming? In the late 1800's the Monroes lived on a Texas farm. When Mrs. Monroe's health failed, Sally, age 12, the oldest child, got the unwanted task of raising her siblings. After years of disciplining her sisters and brothers and laboring in the fields Sally's youth was gone.

At age twenty-two she dreamed of wedlock that might help her escape the farm life. Since Sally had no beau the hope of marriage seemed to vanish as the threat of spinsterhood crept into her thoughts. Unexpected, Aunt Jessie learned of an eligible suitor and had him call on Sally. Later Sally anxiously awaited in the parlor for the gentleman caller.

He was overdue. Wasn't he coming?