Dodging+the+Bulls

Dodging the Bulls Dodging the Bulls September 29, 1934

Dear Journal,

Today is my birthday and I am seventeen years old. It has been only a week so far since I lef’ home and I already miss my family. This is the first time I am not able to spend my birthday with them. I am still in Minnesota, where my home resides, only miles away. As I walk ‘long these long roads I think ‘bout how much I have lef’ behind me – my family, friends, home. But, what’s to come should be better. Right? Hope’fly I will be able to see my family again, as the reason why I left was to provide for them. My parents were really adamant ‘bout me leavin’ and findin’ a job. I think of my little brother a lot and I really miss him. He and I used hang out all the time when mama and pap were busy working. I met a boy a few days ago in the jungles. I of’en wonder why they call these communities ‘longside railroad tracks, jungles. Nevertheless, they ain’t so bad. Atleast I have company there, as well as food and shelter. When I was a newcomer ther’, quite recently actually, I had to go out and beg for food. I guess this is what us new people got to do in order to be “welcomed in”. It was September 26th and I had jus’ gotten ther’, all sweaty. I could feel the perspiration dripping down my face moistening my chapped lips. “Hello,” someone said. I turned ‘round. There was a boy with shaggy, dirty-blonde hair brushing the tips of his eye lashes. His brown eyes looked me up and down, as if he was trying to see where I had come from. He looked to be about my age, or even maybe a little older. “I’m Tim,” he said. “Nice to meet you”. “Nice to meet you too,” I replied, “I’m Samantha.” I told him. I could feel a grin formin’ on my face. The boy I met ther’ told me he is in the same situation as me. His family had escorted him out of the house to find a job and money. He told me that he is workin’ at the CCC. I din’t know what that was and later found out from him that it is something called the Civilian Conservation Corps. Basically it is for young men ages 18-25 who come from relief families that need jobs. Once I found out about this, I was upset that they din’t have anything like this that allowed girls to get jobs, as well. I desperately needed something. Tim often talked ‘bout how he spent the majority of his work in the CCC outside. He told me some stories about how they constructed buildings that connected the nation’s public lands. He also said he had helped to build a network of thousands of miles of public roadways, Along with this, Tim mentioned that they learned awareness and appreciation of the nation’s natural resources. My first time ridin’ the rails was a few days ago. It was scary and dangerous. The reason for this is because I couldn’t be seen getting’ on those freight trains. I had to wait ‘long the rails as the train gained momentum and then jump onto an open boxcar. I was ‘fraid of missin’. I’ve heard stories ‘bout people who do miss, and I don’t want to end up like ‘em, all cut up and dead. But, so far I’ve managed to stay alive. I know that they are worth it though because on the other end is work which is hundreds of miles away. I had to be really careful when hopping freight trains. It was hard, ‘specially because I had to be sure not to get caught by the “bulls”, who are people that make sure that only the payin’ customers ride the trains. It’s been hard because I keep losin’ weight. I have not been eatin’ as well as I did when I was at home. There ain’t any food, so I find myself beggin’ for it at least a few times a day. I find different farmhouses to find food at. Some people are generous and give me food but others are not. I also have to dig through the trash from time to time. It’s gross, but it’s all I have. This is all for now – more to come later. -Samantha