A Visit to Philadelphia and Virginia

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Win Hilling. Stories for my Grandchildren

A Visit to Philadelphia and Virginia

While visiting friends in Philadelphia (Clarence and Dorothy), it was decided that we would visit Williamsberg (a place that was kept exactly as it was in the 1800’s during the Civil War there). We enjoyed our trip and as we drove home Clarence asked us to tell him about the other visits that we had made in Seattle. He was most envious of all our experiences and remarked that we had seen and experienced more in U.S. than he had and he had been born there.

As we drove we came to an intersection and I exclaimed, “Oh – The Plains” which I could see on a signboard there. Clarence immediately said, “Win do you have a tape friend there?” “Yes, “ I replied. “Could we call on them?” said Clarence. “Well they are not expecting us now because I let them know that our plans had changed, but they were very disappointed so yes I guess we could call, but of course they may not be home.” “That’s alright, let’s go,” said Clarence.

As we drove I explained that my male tape friend had an extremely bad stammer and could seldom complete a sentence. The only reason I had taped continuously to him was because I felt he was using taping as a therapy to help his speech. I really knew very little about him and his wife, except that they live in Virginia and they were keen church goers.

As we drove the only people we saw were black and Dorothy was getting very fidgety and said, “Do you think you might be taping to a black?” “The man’s voice was heavy and guttural, “ I said, “so yes he might be black. That wouldn’t worry me at all, but if you would rather not visit him, that’s fine.” “Oh no,” said Clarence, “I intend to visit, if Win doesn’t mind.” As we continued it was obvious that Dorothy wasn’t feeling comfortable, but nothing would put Clarence off. He wanted the experience, and said the opportunity was too good to miss. By this time I wished I had not started all this as all the people we saw were black.

We tried to find the address I had, but eventually had to call at a gas station for direction. We were told we had passed it, so we turned round and drove slowly looking for a typical shack that Clarence said the black people lived in. At last we came to two huge wrought iron gates bearing the adress we were looking for.

“That’s what I thought, he must be black and working for the owner of that mansion,” said Dorothy.

As we looked down the drive that had beautiful straight tall trees along either side, we could see a magnificent building at the bottom of the drive.

“If that is so, where would the black people working here live?” I said.

“Well I have read that at the back of these stately homes there is an area semi-circle of small homes for them," ” said Clarence.

“How do you feel Win, are you happy for me to drive in – we shall be very obvious to the people in the mansion should they look out.”

“That’s okay,” I said, “if you really want to go.”

When we got near the building the roading continued around both sides of the house, so we drove to the left and stopped. My husband said, “Out you get Win, this is your pigeon (an expression).” So I got out and walked around to the back of the house and then I saw the little houses Clarence had mentioned. I knocked on each door but nobody answered. I knew how disappointed Clarence would be so I knocked on the back door of the big building but got no answer.

Just then my husband appeared and said, “where have you been, we were getting concerned.

“See all those little houses?” I said. “Well I knocked on all of them but nobody answered. Clarence will be so disappointed so let us go round this side of the building and I will go to the front entrance and knock and make enquiries about Turner, my tape friend.”

We walked up the wide marble steps and there was a heavy magnificently carved door which I knocked oh. Soon the door opened about 6 inches and I saw 6 or 8 chains across to stop entrance. A lady looked thru and said, “Yes?” I apologised for disturbing her and asked where Turner could be found. She flicked all the chains, releasing the door and said, “Don’t tell me who you are – I will tell you – pause – you are Win from Auckland!” By this time I could only gasp. “Come in, come in,” she said.

We entered the fantastic entrance hall that had a wide beautifully carved staircase and entered the lounge and sat down. The lady who was Turner’s wife said, “Oh dear Turner will be so sorry to miss you. He was so disappointed to hear that you wouldn’t be visiting us. He is out with his men marking the trees to be felled for winter and the estate is so large I wouldn’t know which direction to look.” This property had been growing cotton but now grew trees, etc.

By this time I was wondering how I could include Clarence and Dorothy in all this experience. We were asked to stay for a meal so I said, “We have our host and hostess outside in the car and they have planned to take my husband to the Masonic Temple in N.Y. so we would need to ask them if there was time for us to stay.” “Bring them in,” she said and my husband went to get them. I was sure I would see Clarence’s tail wagging when he came in!

We were give tea and then a lady arrived. She was Turner’s sister and she made us very welcome. “I really must make some attempt to find Turner,” she said. “He would be so upset to miss seeing you.” She said goodbye to us, as she said she doubted that she would find him, there were so many places that he might be, and as we were unable to stay for dinner she probably wouldn’t see us again.

After a short time she returned and said, “I was so lucky – the first place I looked – and there they were!” He is so excited and is bringing his cousin to meet you.” I was sitting in a huge wing chair with a pouf at my feet. There was a noise behind me and I turned and saw that I was backing on to glass doors that opened into the large dining room. Along each side of the room were sideboards covered with the most elegant silverware – now I understood why there were so many chains on the front door – that silverware was exquisite and very valuable.

My next surprise awaited me! I hadn’t realised when I listened to the tapes that I received from my friends, that I formed in my mind a picture of what I thought the tape friend would look like. I also found that I had been reasonably accurate – up to now! Turner’s voice was very gutteral and I pictured a big man. Coming towards me thru the dining room was a little pint-size man – I was so surprised! Also of course he was a white man and joint owner with his sister of the magnificent estate.

He must have heard us talking before he reached us because he came over to me and said, “Win, how how how nice to see see see you.”

I was astonished because on tape he rarely could complete a sentence. Introductions were duly made and he came and sat on the pouf at my feet. “Talk talk talk to me,” he said. In an effort to encourage him to speak I said, “Oh no, I haven’t come all this way to do all the talking – you talk to me please.” He tried but with little success – his voice wouldn’t come through. Then he opened his hand and showed me the tiniest tape recorder I had ever seen. He switched it on and my voice was heard saying, “Oh no, I haven’t come all this way to do all the talking – you talk to me please!!” I thought my voice sounded awful.

We were asked to stay, but we couldn’t because Dorothy had other arrangements. So Alf and I were asked if we could call and stay when we returned from England. My intuition warned me not to promise to do this, so I just said we would do our best to do so. Actually on our return 18 months later we decided to call on the “best man at our wedding’ who was living in Malaysia so were never did go back to Virginia, and several years later I received a letter from Turner’s niece stating that she was writing because she knew that Turner would want me to know that he had been killed in a car accident. She thanked me for spending time taping to him and said so many people stopped taping when they heard his stammer, and that my tapes had given him so much real pleasure.

Clarence was delighted with our visit and I suspect still talks to his friends about it. When we got back to Philadelphia I went into our bedroom to rest. When I went downstairs I was surprised to see the lounge full of people. I was welcomed and introduced to all the relations and friends of Dorothy and Clarence.

Later we had a buffet dinner and then to my great surprise Dorothy came up to me with a beautiful birthday cake with candles lit. I had forgotten my birthday but Alf and Dorothy decided to give me a birthday to remember. My husband was surprised that I had not noticed the preparations and discussions that had taken place. What wonderful people and overwhelming hospitality and kindness. Such thoughtfulness – a wonderful birthday, always remembered and appreciated.