I know, our family table, was not the only place in the hills where the Anthony’s visited. They were welcomed into many area homes, including The Seim’s, The Carlsons, The Peterson’s, The Smith’s, The Morin’s, The Poitra’s and etc, in the radius around the Anthony Home Farm.

Although Ward smelled bad, smoked, chewed and did imbibe in alcohol at local establishments, when in our home, as well as other homes around the community, he, his mother Annie, and our friend, Alcide’s manners were impeccable. I never heard any of them cussing, telling slimey dirty, inappropriate jokes, stories, speak ill or gossip about anyone or put down any one!

They received respect and fair treatment, and treated others with the same defference, where ever they went. We’d find them always optimistic and delighting in the “small things. A meal, a cup of coffee, homemade cake and a visit.

Ward would come to our house, most likely chewing snuice unless he had Prince Albert and papers to roll. Most every visit, in the days before we had Central heat, he’d catch Mom unaware, going to the wood box to put another piece of wood in the wood stove. The wood wood drop. HUMPH! an exasperated sigh_! She’d quickly pull out her hand and scold, “Ward! Stop spitting in the wood box! Ward would giggle and say, Yes, Lottie. She’d then find him a can.

Sometimes, Dad would say, “Nancy, get your violin, and looking at Ward say, ” Ward could you play a tune on the fiddle,” Ward would rosin up the bow, then draw the bow over the strings. _

Scratch, scratchity _scratch until it would be finely tuned. Ward always started with, Pop Goes the Weasel. He enjoyed the delight of others at his fiddle skills, “Round, round the monkey went! (TWANG) (Ward plucked the string) “Pop” Goes the Weasel!” Once, the fiddle was warmed up, Ward would play many, many tunes. Another favorite of his and, mine was, “Bingo, Bingo, where you going to go yea O?, Goin down town to see a little girly O.”

Ward was self taught. He knew how to tune an instrument and knew the various keys.(Reflecting back, I believe provided opportunities, he could have been a gifted musician.)

Ward also was skilled at sharpening axes, knives and such. What was it he’d say ? “Something about his knives being so sharp he could trim the hair off a louse or a flea.” Giggle.

Ward had a knack for all types of veterinarian work. there were various times of the year when his skills were in demand. He’d take the tools of his trade and go from neighbor to neighbor working cattle. Years later, Hank S.,one of our friends, said, “Each spring. Ward would come and borrow a __de-horning tool, keep it for about 3 weeks making his rounds, and always return it with a “Thank You.” He was also skilled__ (ahem) those of polite society might prefer the saying, “harvesting mountain oysters”. Then, mom supplied the lysol. And that smell permeated the room when they came in and ate.

In the spring of the year War would come sometimes with Alcide and help with fencing.
With an ax, they’d sharpen fence posts, and help dad fence, dragging posts and fixing wires. They’d come in for a full meat and potatos, bread and vegetable, and dessert farm noon dinner, Mom then would pack a thermos of hot coffee and lunch for later. Their manners toward our mother and us girls were immpecable.

In the midst of eating, We’d be fascinated as, “Ward had his own way killing a wood tick. We girls would be wide eyed once again watching him pull out ticks and give them a little snap with his teeth. Yuck.