Bernard's journey

Many times we are confronted with two roads - and the road not taken may change our lives for the better.  Bernard continued working on P.L.E. and the opportunities for advancement made it a promising job. After a few months, a representative from Meadville College (to-day it is still an excellent one) in Meadville, Pa offered him a full scholarship to attend and play football.  Was this the road for him to take?  I was overjoyed then but years later I was not certain this was the right decision. For at the time Mother had been ill for several weeks, confined to her bed.  James, Bernard, Patsy and I were still at home.  I was extremely worried about her condition especially after she developed erasipulis on her forehead, dangerous here because if it spread, brain damage could result. Bernard was a natural for helping those who were sick.  Every day he changed the bandage and applied medication under direction of Dr. Lutz who came every day.  Remembering the words of this Doctor to-day, I feel he was right - he would be better off remaining at his P.L.E. job which offered opportunities for advancement. At that time I thought the Doctor was selfish, only wanting education for his family. The decision came from Bernard, he took this opportunity and was soon attending Allegheny, Meadville, Pa and playing football.

The comparison of life to a journey is one of the world's most persistent and oldest motif. He continued on his way, enjoying three years at this school, making friends, producing fair grades, and playing football.  During the summer preceding his fourth year, he was evasive, less communicative, and troubled when I sensed something wrong about school.  He returned to school but came home within a week, devastated. He said they refused his scholarship, some strange reason that his eyes were deteriorating so that he couldn't play. He could have paid his tuition for the final year but he refused. He immediately enrolled in California State, graduating with Patsy in 1933 with a B.S. in Education.
"We never have security only a paradox of it."

Teaching positions were scarce in these depression years. My teaching in Roscoe Public School made it possible for us to live without any anxiety. As soon as the Mines resumed working, Bernard entered one on Feb. 15, 1934. Mother was saddened and so was I. The mines always made me so afraid and I had experienced this anxiety almost every day was a girl growing up when Dad worked in them. This was no place for a sensitive, well-educated young man but again it was his decision.


{Pic of Allegheny College Football Team 1929.  Thanks to Pat Fiorill for the find!}