The Anthony’s #10
My Very Favorite Annie Story
My dad and Uncle Bill (William II) both said, they recalled, being told by their father, “Annie Olson in her youth, was a most beautiful young woman__.”
Until she opened her mouth_______….”
Their father, (William II) told them, “Annie had the misfortune of a scratchy, high pitched, annoying voice. The voice, very much dimmed her attractiveness in the eyes of men looking to court her.”
Often,when the Anthony’s came to visit, I’d request a story from Annie.
I’d say,”Annie would you tell us about our grandpa ?” And her story was always the same.
She’d say, “Your Grandpa Billy once took me to a dance.” This was in the winter,months after his first wife, Bertha died. (Long, long ago, in the early part of the last century there were often local bush dances in various homes in the the Turtle Mountain communities including, reels, square dances and waltzes.)
Annie said,”Driving home, the Metcalfe cutter was pulled by a finely matched team. It was a very still, quiet, cold, winter night. The sleigh bells jingled and rang out clearly. The moon and stars shone on the sparkling snowy winter trail.
The sleigh was gliding along smoothly over the sleigh road. All was quiet in the cutter…..”
_____”ScrEEeeechh___!” Screech!!
She’d wait for a guess. We’d guess, “An Owl?” or another time, “A lynx?”
In telling, her bright eyes would twinkle and Annie said, “I said to your grandpa, “Billy, “What was that?” ” He threw back his head and laughingly replied,” “Oh Annie! I think it was,____ your father.”
Annie would chuckle and on her face, a moment of quiet, fond remembrance. As she said, “The cutter ran over a green poplar branch on the trail.”
Annie’s Story, Metcalfe Family Tales, Vickie Metcalfe Spring 2011
