Gu st Post,

This is a guest post by my friend Harvey Hughett. I just love his stories of Appalachia. Check him out on his facebook site Musing AppalachiaBERTHY SEES A SIGNGod’s Hillbilly Warrior Goes Yondering (Part 2 of 9)© Harvey Hughett

It had been a hard winter, and cabin fever was starting to set in for Aint Berthy. It was weeks before the garden needed to be planted. And the chirping of the birds was so loud that it was starting to drive her crazy. Mockingbirds were the worst with their never-ending attempts to one-up the other birds. She was ripe for another road trip, but not on a bus this time. She had enough of bus stations.

She cut down trees, chopped her own firewood, and walked everywhere. She was in top physical shape. It was while walking to Bulls Gap to trade some free-range eggs for sugar that she stopped in the road to let a copperhead snake slither out of harm’s way and into the ditch. She liked snakes and didn’t bother them. She even had a five-year-old copperhead living under her back porch steps, and they never bothered each other. She named it Clyde after Sherriff Clyde Snowden over at Morristown because he’d once backed out on his word to her about getting rid of some prostitutes who’d moved into a house down the road from her and were attempting to set up shop. In the end, Berthy had to fix that problem herself. After that, she didn’t have much use for cops.

As she stopped to let “Clyde’s friend” pass, she happened to glance up and saw a barn with a sign painted on the roof that said, “SEE ROCK CITY.” She took that for a message of some kind. Berthy strongly believed in signs and omens. She’d never seen Rock City, but the snake and sign on the barn probably weren’t coincidences. She paused and pondered the possible meaning of what she’d just witnessed.

It was at that precise moment she remembered that Old Lady Gooch, who used to live up the road, still owed her some money from eight years ago. She’d moved to Chattanooga and lived near Rock City (Lookout Mountain). So, that was it! She was destined to go to Chattanooga and collect on the debt while experiencing new scenery and meeting interesting people!

While in Bulls Gap, she picked up a train schedule at the depot, went across the street to Gilley’s Hotel, and bought an ice cream cone. She loved to eat ice cream and watch the trains come through. She’d imagine what the lives of the passengers arriving and departing might be like. She loved traveling and dreamed about taking a trip by rail herself someday. As she sat on a bench and studied the train destinations and fares, she noticed that a ticket to and from Chattanooga cost $28.65. She was appalled at the ridiculously high price.

As she was leaving town, she met a hobo and walked with him for a bit. She asked him about hopping trains and getting free rides. He explained that freighthopping was dangerous and illegal, but he did it all the time and had traveled as far as San Francisco several times in a boxcar. He stressed safety, timing, and location. He told her to avoid busy areas where there were bulls (rail guards) and heavy security and to look for unguarded spots where the trains had to slow down or stop. He described a curve just before Whitesburg where trains slowed to less than 5 MPH and, if one were lucky, he (or she!) could just throw their bag into the boxcar and hop on for a free ride to the next stop.

He advised her to choose an enclosed boxcar so she could hide and stay out of bad weather. He also told her how she could use an old rail spike to wedge the door partially open so she wouldn’t be locked inside. Once, he’d been locked in a week before someone heard him banging on the door and let him out. And he cautioned her to respect other travelers. He said that hobos just peed out the open doors. He remarked that he wasn’t sure how a woman would manage that but suggested that she respect the property and not mess it up because he might want to ride in that same train car someday.

During the next few weeks, Berthy practiced jumping onto the bed of a horse-drawn freight wagon in the back pasture until she could easily do it with a full pack.

She pre-loaded a WWII military surplus backpack she’d picked up at a thrift store with a change of clothes, a blanket, her bedside alarm clock (she didn’t own a watch), pokes for cornbread and venison jerky (a deer made a mistake and got in her garden), a bottle of Percy Medicine, and a few other odds and ends like her special crystal, potions, candles, matches, and…Hercules, her reliable travel companion. It was a small Harrington & Richardson snub nose revolver in the unusual .44 Bull Dog caliber. Not many stores carried ammo for the old gun, but Hasson-Bryan Hardware Store in Morristown had it. It had to have the headstamp of .44 B.D. and not .44 Magnum. But it blew a hole the same size. Berthy knew all this stuff and was a good shot.

She carried Hercules and her valuables in special pouches she’d sewed into secret pockets in her petticoat. That way, she always knew where they were. Concerning money, she devised a system of tying bills, coins, and jewelry into little pouches and attaching them to the petticoat with short pieces of string. For example, suppose she needed seven dollars and thirty-three cents to buy something. In that case, she’d excuse herself to a private place where she could lift her dress and extract a five-dollar bill from the pouch with that denomination and another small sack with other bills or coin sizes. In a way, she was a walking cash register. It was an excellent way to keep close track of her valuables and still get relatively quick access. She had a special pocket on the outside of her dress where she carried a small military-size Bible her husband had brought back from the Army.

When around her daughter, Nova, or her cute grandchild, Jan, she’d just whip up her dress and count out the money. She felt safe walking around with her treasures safely hidden in her dress. They served as a secure place to hide her precious belongings. Being a guy, she was discreet, so I never saw her lift her dress.

(to be continued)

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Aint Berthy

This is a guest post by my friend Harvey Hughett Please check him out on facebook at Musing Appalachia by Harvey Hughett

PROVIDENCE CAUSES BERTHY TO GET SERIOUS
God’s Hillbilly Warrior Goes Yondering (Part 7 of 9)
© Harvey Hughetti

Berthy was barely a mile out of town when she came across a man attempting to change a flat tire on his car. He had the tire tool on a lug nut, but his arms weren’t strong enough to get the nut loose. It was frozen hard. Berthy could tell that he was frustrated and offered to help. He seemed to be a nice guy, quite a bit younger than Berthy. He introduced himself as Ben. Berthy took a look at his situation and said, “Here, let me try that.” Rather than use her hands, she stood on the handle of the lug wrench, balanced her feet, and jumped. One by one, the nuts came loose, and they were able to mount the spare tire.

Ben offered to pay her for helping, but Berthy refused payment, saying, “No, I don’t charge nothin’ for helping a body in a pinch. I’m heading up the mountain to see what it looks like from up there. I’d best get going if I’m going to get up there and back to town before dark.”

It turned out that Ben had been raised in Newport, Tennessee, not far from Berthy, and he knew where Bulls Gap was. He had been working in a restaurant in Sevierville when a highway accident took the life of his older sister. She was hitchhiking to work. Ben blamed himself because he could have given her a ride. She hadn’t asked for a ride that day, and it didn’t occur to him that she needed one. However, he was the only one in his family with a car, and his family blamed him for her death. So, he cut ties with his family and wandered from town to town in his car. As a drifter, he’d stop here and there to work for gas and food money and continue on his aimless journey, trying to escape his past. Despite his rough exterior, Ben was kind-hearted, haunted by guilt, and longed for forgiveness.

Berthy sensed his sadness and engaged him in a conversation. Through her warmth and curiosity, she gradually earned his trust. Ben shared his story with Berthy, and she encouraged him to face his past and attempt reconciliation with his family. This conversation became a turning point for Ben, and he began to believe in the possibility of forgiveness and a better future. Berthy’s unwavering faith and compassion helped him take the first steps toward healing and reconciliation with his family.

Frankly, Berthy was very surprised when she learned about Ben’s past, especially the tragic accident and his subsequent life as a drifter. She hadn’t expected such a heavy story from the quiet stranger. It troubled her that the man had lived a sad life, feeling that he had committed a grievous sin when he really hadn’t. Berthy’s compassionate side took over when she realized Ben had been punishing himself for years. Drawing on her faith, she explained the teachings of forgiveness and redemption from the Bible. She believed that everyone deserved a second chance. She felt impressed that, as God’s Warrior, she had a duty to help Ben find his way back to the right path.

Berthy and Ben hit it off together and she trusted him, a rarity for her with him being a man she wasn’t kin to. Nevertheless, she would continue to be cautious. She’d been burned by men too often. Since Berthy had completed the goal of reclaiming her money from Mrs. Gooch, Ben offered to give her a ride back to her Mohawk home. They decided to leave early the following day. He’d drop her off at her house on Democrat Road, continue on to Newport, and attempt to mend fences with his family.

They then drove to the top of Lookout Mountain, where they contemplated the Civil War battles that had taken place on that hill and in the surrounding area. Bertha told Ben that her great-great-uncle John Hughett had died in the battle at Chickamauga. He took a Minié ball in the chest on the north bank at the mouth of South Chickamauga Creek on September 19th, 1863. They could see the battlefield in the distance from where they stood on the easternmost part of the mountain. It was one of the bloodiest of the Civil War. More than 700 thousand soldiers died in that war. John’s wife had been taking care of the family farm in Tennessee during his absence. After her only child died of dysentery and after being raped by a Yankee soldier, she committed suicide. Berthy was quiet for a long while as she imagined what that war must have been like. She prayed for those who had died.

After Berthy and her new friend left Lookout Mountain and Rock City Gardens, they drove to The Krystal in Chattanooga and ate hamburgers. The Krystal was founded in Chattanooga in 1932 and was well known for its small, square hamburgers, often called Krystal Burgers. You could buy twelve for a dollar. Berthy thought they were the best hamburgers she’d ever eaten, although she had to return the first order because they’d mistakenly put onions on hers. She hated onions.

As Berthy and Ben sat in a corner booth at The Krystal, the aroma of sizzling burgers and fries put them into a nostalgic and happy mood. Berthy took a bite of her Krystal burger, savoring the taste. Across from her, Ben was engrossed in his meal, occasionally glancing up to smile at her.

Berthy was relaxed and peaceful. It had been a fun day. She was enjoying herself and finally felt a sense of peace after having survived all the attacks on her since starting the trip.

While sitting there and contemplating the next steps before Ben drove her back to Mohawk, a man walked up to her and said, “Well, I’ll be danged if it ain’t Aunt Berthy from Resume Speed, Tennessee!” Her heart skipped when she recognized that it was a neighbor friend she hadn’t seen for ages. Eli Smith looked weary and older than his actual years.

Eli: “Berthy? Am I seeing things? What are you doin’ here?”

Berthy stood up, her eyes wide with surprise. “Eli! I can’t believe this. It’s been years.”

Eli shifted nervously. “Berthy, I have to ask for your forgiveness. For what I did back there in Bulls Gap. I was young and stupid, and I let you down. I’m real sorry.”

Berthy’s expression softened. “Eli, that was a long time ago. We all make mistakes. You don’t have to ask my forgiveness. I hope you’ve found some peace.”

Eli’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Thank you, Berthy. That means more than you know.”

Berthy pointed to a seat next to her. “Sit down for a minute and tell me how you’ve been.”

Eli sat down. “I’ve been working on turning my life around. It’s been rough, but I’m not giving up. Seeing you here a hundred miles from your home… it’s like a sign.”

Berthy nodded, her eyes kind. “I’m pleased to hear that, Eli. It’s never too late to change. What have you been up to?”

Eli: “Oh, I’ve been working different jobs and trying to stay out of trouble. It’s not easy, but I can do it. I want to make something out of myself.”

Berthy: “I believe in you, Eli. I know you can do it. Just take it one day at a time. If yore momma was alive, that’s what she’d tell you.”

“Thanks, Berthy. You were always the strong one, the one who stood up for what was right.”

Berthy said, “Well, I’ve had my moments of doubt, too. But we all have our own paths to walk. Just don’t forget, you’re not alone in this.”

Eli nodded, “I won’t forget that. Thank you, Berthy. You always were a friend.”

Berthy then asked, “Eli, what happened back then? Why did you go to jail?”

Eli sighed, looking down at his hands. “It was a crazy, stupid mistake. I was running around with the wrong crowd, a bunch of city boys. We wuz drinking and reckless, and one night, we robbed a store. I didn’t want to hurt anyone, but things got out of hand. The owner tried to stop us, and in the struggle, he got hurt. We wuz arrested, and I was charged with assault and robbery.”

Berthy’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know it was that serious.”

Eli nodded, shame evident in his eyes. “I think about it every day. I served my time, but the guilt don’t go away. And I know I let momma, you, and everybody down, Berthy. I was angry and lost back then. I took it out on the people who cared about me.”

Berthy reached out and took his hand. “Eli, everybody makes mistakes. It’s more important that you’re trying to set things straight now. I forgive you, and I hope you can forgive yourself too.”

Eli’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, Berthy. That means so much to me.”

After a few more words, Eli left, and Berthy sat back down, her mind swirling with old memories and emotions. She stared at her half-eaten burger, suddenly feeling a wave of doubt wash over her. It added a new layer of complexity to her journey as she navigated the delicate balance between trust and caution: violence and peace.

Berthy: “Ben, do you think I’m doing the right thing? Being a warrior for God, fighting against sin and sinners… Am I doing more harm than good? Some people are afraid of my strictness and my no-nonsense attitude. Do you think I’m pushing people away instead of bringing them closer to faith and redemption?”
Ben: (gently) “Berthy, you have a strong and unwavering personality. And it’s okay to have doubts. It just verifies that you’re human, and it shows you care deeply about doing the right thing.”

Berthy: (nodding) “I want to help people find their way, but sometimes I wonder if my approach is too hard. Maybe there’s a better way to reach their hearts. Think about it, how many fights have I gotten into on this trip? How many bones have I broken? Is there a better way to reach people?”

Ben: (smiling) “You have good intentions and a heart of gold, Berthy. Your strength and faith have inspired many, including me. Perhaps it’s not about changing who you are. Maybe it’s about finding a balance and showing compassion without compromising your values. And where warranted, showing your strength for good. You really are a warrior for God and you’re fighting in the battle between good and evil. And in all battles, there are bound to be a few casualties, and even a few may be hurt in friendly fire. Don’t beat yourself up, Berthy. Remember that you’re battling for God. If you’re on His side, you can’t go wrong.”

Berthy: (thoughtful) “Balance and perspective? I think I can be firm in my beliefs and actions but still show some kindness and understanding. I’ll try harder.”

Ben took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “Berthy, you’re the strongest person I think I’ve ever met. You’re honest, and you’ve got a good heart. You’re fighting for what you believe in. It’s normal to have doubts but don’t let them sidetrack you. Keep up the good fight. You’re making a difference everywhere you go.” Then he said, “Berthy, it’s not about having doubts. It’s about forcing yourself through them. Every warrior faces times of uncertainty. It’s what you do in those times that defines you.”

Berthy: “Ben. You’re right. It’s just that sometimes it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders to help set wrongs right.”

Ben: “What you’re saying reminds me of when I was younger. I was working on my papaw’s farm, and we had a terrible drought. Crops were failing, and it felt like everything was falling apart. I remember sitting in the field one evening, feeling completely defeated. My papaw came and sat beside me. He didn’t say much at first. Then he said, ‘Ben, sometimes life throws challenges at us that we don’t think we can overcome. But it’s exactly in those moments that we find our true strength, and we keep going. Nobody ever said that it would be easy, only that it would be worth it.'”

Berthy listened closely and knew that he was right.

Ben: “That night, I realized that what Papaw said was true. Even when things seem hopeless, we have to keep pushing forward. Berthy, you are strong. You’re fighting for something way bigger than yourself. You have God on your side. Berthy, you have more courage than anyone I know. Now, let’s finish these burgers and get back on the road. We got a long drive ahead of us.”

Berthy, her spirits lifted, said, “You bet, Ben. Let’s keep on keepin’ on.”

This moment of doubt and reflection helped Berthy grow and strengthen her character and her bond with Ben.

(to be continued)

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