October 1, 1935
That evening after supper, the children continued to work on the boat.
"Mary Ellen, what's the point of putting that in there now?" Ben asked.
"Because they're ready and it makes the boat look nice." Mary Ellen said. She was putting ribbons in the boat.
"Yeah, but when you paint around the inside, it's gonna get all smeared up." Ben explained.
"Ben you're so logical." Mary Ellen said.
"Maybe that's because she is one." Erin said.
"Why do you girls stick together anyway?" Jim Bob wondered.
"Well, we need to." Elizabeth said.
"What for?" Jim Bob asked.
"Because Mary Ellen said so." Elizabeth said.
Grandpa came outside from the house. "Heave ho, me Hearties!" he greeted his grandchildren. "And wet 'em all over and a bottle of Recipe for the launching!"
"Oh you've changed your tune, Old Man, but I've known all along that they'd get this boat in order." Grandma smiled.
"Esther, for your faith in this project, I will carve a figurehead and use you as a model." Grandpa teased.
"Oh stop that!" Grandma scolded.
Grandpa just laughed.
"The boat looks great." Jenny smiled.
"Thanks!" Ben grinned. "Daddy, what time is Jason coming home? We need him to help us."
"Early I guess, he said he had something to do."
"What about John-Boy?"
"He stayed home to study." Jenny said. "That's why I came over here. I didn't want to bug him."
Ben sighed.
"How about my giving you a hand?" Zeb offered.
"Sure Grandpa." Ben smiled.
"You're the best Grandpa ever!" Erin grinned.
"Well thank you, Honey. I sure do try."
Meanwhile Jason was in Scottsville playing with the band. He played Little Brown Jug along with Bobby as the guests in the barn danced. Bobby sang as he played. He sounded just like he did when Jason listened to him on the radio! His tenor voice was very pleasing to listen to. Bobby even let Jason sing the final chorus by himself!
When the song ended, everyone cheered. Jason couldn't stop grinning.
Bobby leaned over towards Jason. "Looks like you've got yourself a job Jason."
"You mean it?"
"Do I look like a fellow who says things that I don't mean? $3 a night anytime we play this area."
Jason could hardly believe his ears. This was really happening! "3 DOLLARS?!"
"Okay, okay, $3.50, but don't haggle on the bandstand, it's not professional." Bobby turned to the 'Haystack Gang' and gave them the title of the next song. "I Wish I Was Single Again."
October 2, 1935
The next day after class, John-Boy, Jenny, Olivia, and Eula ran into Ike's store.
"Ike? Ike, is it here yet?" John-Boy asked, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.
The storekeeper smiled. "Yeah John-Boy, it's here. Came in about a half hour ago."
"Oh, thank you!" John-Boy smiled.
He ripped open the box. He stared at the sight in the box. "It's blue." He said. The cover of his books were blue. He picked up a book and stared at it for a second. He hugged his mother. "Oh Mama, it's beautiful!"
Jenny smiled and hugged Eula.
John-Boy paged through the book. "Look at that! My own words in print!"
"You should feel very proud." Corabeth smiled at her young cousin.
"Short Stories: A Collection By John Walton Jr." John-Boy read the title. He then looked at his extended cousins. "Ike, Corabeth, this is for you." He handed them a book.
"We'd be proud to accept it." Ike smiled. He handed John-Boy a pen. "Would you write your name inside it?"
John-Boy smiled and opened the front cover of the book. He wrote inside the book and handed it back to the Ike and Corabeth.
Corabeth read the inscription. "To my cousins, Ike and Corabeth Godsey, two of the people who made it possible for me to write these stories. Sincerely- John Walton Jr. October 2, 1935.We'll treasure this always, John-Boy. Thank you."
"I'd like one too John-Boy." Eula smiled.
"With an autograph?" John-Boy asked.
"All the better." She smiled.
John-Boy signed and handed the book back to her. "To my wonderful mother-in-law Eula, thank you for your support and love for me throughout this whole endeavor. You will always be a second mother to me. Your Loving Son-In-Law, John Walton Jr. October 2, 1935. Thank you John, I'll keep it forever."
John-Boy picked up two more books and signed them.
"To my parents, John and Olivia. Thank you for believing in me and starting my career as a writer. I love you both more than words can say. Your Loving Son- John Walton Jr. October 2, 1935."
"To my beautiful bride, Jenny. Thank you for not giving up on me and always being there to support me. You're my best friend and only love. I'll love you forever and always. Your Loving Husband, John Walton Jr. October 2, 1935."
Olivia and Jenny thanked John-Boy for his kind signature.
"Let's get these home and tell the others. Thank you Ike, Corabeth." John-Boy smiled.
Eula, Olivia, and Jenny followed.
John-Boy practically ran up the front porch steps when they got home.
"Daddy, here they are!" he announced. "Grandma, Grandpa, look at this!"
"Well, look at that, isn't that beautiful!" John smiled, picking up one of the books.
"My own words in print, such a strange and wonderful thing." John-Boy smiled. "Listen to this. At night, across Virginia, across the old fought-upon earth, there comes a sweet darkness that sweeps down from the mountains, and laden with the scent of dogwood, flows across the hills and into the valleys."
John smiled.
John-Boy reached into the box. "Here's a letter. Must be a covering letter of some sort."
He opened it and read it silently. He paused. "Wait a minute, this can't be! This can't be right!"
"What is it?" Jenny asked.
"A bill. A bill for $50." John-Boy said. "$50, the cost of the first printing, please remit. You may order more if you wish."
"You mean they printed them up, sent them to you, and charged you for them?" Eula asked.
John-Boy nodded. "It's a racket. It's a racket, that's what it is."
