064
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064
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Transcription
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appeared to me as if we were going right over the same old track. I knew that I never would be comfortable until l [sic] got my college degree. I decided that I must make a change. I announced, one Sunday at the dinner table that I was going to Lincoln and to the University of Nebraska. It was a sudden blow, but my parents seemed to accept it and agreed that my younger brother, Lawrence, would take my place for the remainder of the year.
The mental torment the remainder of the day was one of the tough times in my life. I now could not turn back, but between 1:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., my mind was in a turmoil. I worked out a settlement with my father on the partnership and he gave me a check for $500.00. When the crop was harvested we would complete the settlement. He said nothing as he wrote the check, but I knew he must feel as frustrated as I did. I packed my suitcase, and boxed up some clothes to be sent later. I took my banjo and my beloved typewriter, and waited for the time when the train would take me to a new world. The die was cast, I dare not look back, or I might be tempted to change my mind.
Verna was at the ranch that week end, I was to take her back to town in the evening. We had very little conversation the rest of the day. At 9:00 o'clock we loaded my belongings in the car, Dad and Momsie would take me to the train, and then take Verna to her apartment.
It took less than an 30 minutes to reach the depot. It was vacant except for a lone baggage cart. A freight train was sitting on the side track, it was breathing heavily as steam escaped the cylinders. It was waiting for No. 42, the passenger train that would take me to Lincoln.
The agent sold me my ticket, and we waited for only a few minutes before the lights of No. 42 appeared. The train rolled to a screeching halt. I told my parents good buy [sic], with only a peck on the cheek for my mother, and a handshake from Dad. Verna followed me to the train, we stood for a few minutes and watched as the baggage was loaded. ALL ABOARD I kissed Verna, shed a lot of tears, turned and took the steps into the car and found a seat.
It was dark by the time the train left Crawford. I had a seat by the window. My spirits were low, I peered out of the window and watched the lights of Crawford, disappear I could see the twinkling lights of the scattered ranch homes slip by. We stopped for a passenger at Belont [sic]; at Marsland we picked up another. I have no idea how long I stayed awake, the clatter of wheels, the mournful wail of the whistle had a hypnotic effect, Five hundred miles to Lincoln thru the sand hills of Nebraska would start a new life for me.
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Metzger Memories
