The Red Flannel Rag

Mom said, “Rob made the best moonshine and even though he raised his price

from $2.00 a pint to $2.50 a pint, his customers were faithful.” Dad responded, “Rob

tried to run my family out of business by raising his prices.” They wouldn’t speak fo r a

day or two then things would return to normal until the next disagreement.

When I heard them arguing after I got old enough to talk back some, I asked

them, half jokingly, “Why do you all stay together? Why not get a divorce? They stared

at me with a curious look on their faces, as the reason they were arguing was suddenly

forgotten. Finally, Mom said, “I got married for better or for worse, and I’d never think

about a divorce.”

Norman and Myrtle Shifflett in 1944

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