The Autobiography of Ruth Tagg Caley

could get his hands on and never returned anything anyone ever loaned him. The neighbors hadto call the police. The police couldn’t return anything because they said possession is nine pointsof the law. The man even sold the good refrigerator in the house he was renting and put in an oldthing that was no good. Anyway before I found out what kind of people they were I noticed nofood in the home and I took my own lunch but had to give it to the children. After that the kidswould come running to me and ask for food. The wife said when I questioned her, “I’m notbuying any food for the house because my husband won’t support us so why should I feed him.”He was working out in the garage making furniture and the power machine he used wasloaned to him and he never returned it. He also got things from me, an electric heater, $36.00and a hoist out of the garage. He said when questioned he did not steal them because I saw himtake them. One man had a screw driver and was taking a luggage carrier off that man’s car andthe police stopped him. The police said you can’t take that even if it is yours. It’s in hispossession. They cheated me out of my wages even after I had in the past given them a box offood and told the bishop the children were hungry. The welfare had sent an order of groceries tothem. But they pulled out in the evening and left empty dirty milk bottles for the welfare andnever returned them, or said thank you.Soon after I finished my stake mission I noticed a lump under my left breast. I went tothe doctor and had to go to the hospital. I had to wait one month for a bed. The doctor said theydidn’t know what they would find when they opened me up. I was not afraid and didn’t worry abit. I thought I’ll leave it up to the Lord. They took off the flesh under my arm and bandaged meup like a mummy and I was out about five hours. When time was up the nurse said, “It’s time towake up. Move your arm Mrs. Caley.” I did but it was the wrong arm. Ha. Ha. She said youmust exercise your arm continually. If you don’t, you may lose the use of it.I remember coming home after a long stay and I never went to bed or rest, I felt good. Iironed 19 blouses in two days and hung my wash out on the line by holding the clothes line withmy teeth – all with one arm. Three months after, I had a set back. It was worse than theoperation. They gave me pills and they drove me crazy. Finally I threw those pills down thetoilet and got down on my knees to pray for wisdom and strength. In time I got over it but anyoperation has to readjust the circulation.Now after awhile I was called on to go and work at the church welfare or sew. I went towork and got rammed into, right on my sore healing tender left side with a wooden apple box(corner of the box), nearly made me faint. I had insurance for my operation but it didn’t cover itand the church had to help me. That’s why I had to work at the church welfare. I worked forabout three months and had to quit. I was not able. After awhile I went back and worked therefor about five years until John’s retirement check came through again. They stopped it oncewhen Marge turned 18 years and gave it back to me when I turned 60 years.I worked four days a week, rain or shine. They did have to pick me up once or twice andtake me home. I was not strong but most people down there were in the same fix. They are thereto help those who need it. One day I had to leave earlier. I felt sick and a barber who lived downRuth Tagg Caley pg 53