Chapter Six
My three oldest brothers were out of high school. D.L. was three years older than I was, but he was still a sophomore, having failed to pass the year before. With his slow progress, we might both be seniors at the same time.
Vern Jr., the oldest, worked at a sawmill in Fordland. James, next to the oldest, worked on a dairy farm, and Wayne, five years older than me, worked in a hardware store.
James was making payments on a ’39 Pontiac, which left him only enough money to buy gasoline. Vern Jr. and Wayne were saving up for a down payment on cars of their own.
On the weekends all five of us helped cut firewood for Dad to sell, and in the fall we picked up black walnuts.
One good thing about having five sons is that you have a crew of captive workers. And Dad and Uncle Leo di
