Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night

by Barbara J. Taylor

  He waited.

  Grace shifted away from him, and leaned into the middle of the bed. When she turned back, she held the swaddled baby in her arms. “Lily,” she said, facing the infant toward Owen.

  He lightly brushed a scabbed finger across the baby’s silky cheek. “She has Daisy’s eyes.”

  “And her birthday.” Grace paused to put the baby to her breast. “Near as I can tell. I’ve this one to thank.” She bent down and kissed the top of Violet’s head. “We wouldn’t be here without her.”

  Owen lifted the Bible and patted his knee. Violet scurried out of bed and onto his lap. He wrapped both arms around her, book and all. “What would I do without you?” He tucked his head into her neck as tears fell from his eyes.

  Violet pressed her nose against him, taking in his tobacco smell.

  “Thank you,” Owen whispered in her ear, and set the Bible across both their laps. “It ought to be you who writes it,” he said, reaching for the pen and ink.

  Violet’s hand trembled slightly, as she dipped the pen and started writing on the page entitled, Births.

  Lily Morgan.

  Violet glanced at her own record of birth, to get the next line right.

  Born in the year of our Lord.

  She knew the rest of the information by heart.

  March 1, 1914.

  She smiled at her mother and finished writing.

  Just before midnight.

  Violet fanned the words.

  Owen turned to the page entitled, Family Temperance Pledge, and took the pen out of his daughter’s hand. He looked at Violet with one thought: And a child shall lead us.

  Owen read aloud.

  We the undersigned solemnly promise

  By the help of God

  To abstain from the use of all

  Intoxicating drinks as a beverage.

  He silently noted the pair of signatures under the pledge, his father’s and his own. This time, he thought as he dipped the pen into the inkwell and tapped it on the side of the jar, will be the last. He spoke each word.

  I here now take the pledge and sign it in the name of the Lord.

  —Owen Morgan, March 2, 1914

  He set the pen back on the table and took Grace’s hand. Lily slept soundly at her breast.

  Violet leaned down and blew lightly on the page, encouraging the ink to dry.

  PLANTING SMALL SEEDS

  In planting very delicate flower seeds, fill eggshells with fine dirt, and when nearly full put in the seeds; cover lightly with a little more dirt, keep moist, and when the plants are large enough to transplant, it can be done without disturbing the little delicate roots, as the shell can be broken away instead of digging out the plants. —Mrs. Joe’s Housekeeping Guide, 1909

  The “Billy Sunday Snowstorm.” Won’t soon forget it. Worst blizzard in these parts since ’88. According to the Truth, four souls perished during the night. No one from Providence Christian, thank God, but tragic, nonetheless. Of course, it could have been far worse. At least they had the chance to meet their Maker with pure hearts, assuming they attended the revival beforehand. Not everyone in this world is so fortunate.

  Over two thousand souls saved by sunup, or so they claimed. We’re not surprised. Snowed in with such a marvelous evangelist, who wouldn’t be saved? The real question is, will they be attending church six months down the road? The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as we always say.

  A shame to see them tearing down the tabernacle. Always intended to be temporary, though. No sense wasting good wood. There’s talk of a new ICS building going up on that corner. We could think of worse things in the name of progress.

  In any event, the Good Lord spared man and beast that night. We still can’t believe that harebrained mule made it without a scratch. Took two people to get her out of the Morgans’ kitchen, Stanley pulling in front, Owen pushing at the rear. A wonder neither one of them got kicked in the head. Made quite a mess of that house while she was there. That’s what you get when you go and make a pet out of an animal God intended for work.

  Still, that Polish boy had to have been delighted after all he’s suffered. Nice to see him getting on so well these days. Lucky to have the widow looking after him. Now there’s a woman who believes in an education. Swears she’ll see Stanley clear through law school. And we’re pleased to hear her say it, even if we can’t imagine anyone fool enough to hire a one-handed lawyer. Then again, we don’t have much use for the two-handed kind, either. We’re simple folks. Read our Bible. Follow God’s Word. Keep to ourselves. Never go looking for trouble.

  Quite the opposite, in fact. Why, just the other day we were remarking on how good it is to see Owen Morgan finally past his difficulties, and home where he belongs. Even if he didn’t hit the sawdust trail, we’re pleased to welcome him back into the fold. We always had faith in him. Grace too. Just took her a little longer to come around, but who can blame her? Certainly not us. She had her hands fuller than most. And Violet. Never did think that child could harm her own blood, no matter the gossip. Just goes to show, some people will say anything to hear themselves talk.

  Hard to keep quiet about Pearl Williams, though. Seems to be making a fool out of herself over that horse trainer from the track. Carl something. A little fellow with a finger missing on one hand. Don’t much like the looks of him. A handsome woman like Pearl could do better. Just the same, thinking about that husband who left her makes us realize, she could do worse. And Carl did start attending services pretty regular after Billy Sunday. Let’s hope he keeps it up for her sake. Hate to see a woman like Pearl disappointed. Seems to be having herself a grand time if we do say so ourselves.

  And we’re happy for her. Shows courage to take up with a man at that age.

  THE END

  REFERENCES

  • Chapple, Joe Mitchell. Mrs. Joe’s Housekeeping Guide. Cleveland, Ohio: The Chapple Publishing Company, Ltd., 1909.

  Much of the dialogue attributed to A.P. Gill, Homer Rodeheaver, and Billy Sunday was found in three sources:

  • Bruno, Guido. “Billy Sunday, Who Makes Religion Pay.” Pearson’s Magazine. April 1917: 323–332.

  • The Scranton Times. Various articles on Billy Sunday’s visit to Scranton. January–March 1914.

  • The Tribune-Republican. Various articles on Billy Sunday’s visit to Scranton. January–March 1914.

  Most of the sermon material attributed to Billy Sunday was found in the sermons “Theatre, Cards and Dance,” “Backsliding,” and “Get on the Water Wagon,” all written by William Ashley Sunday.

  For further reading on Billy Sunday:

  • Betts, Reverend Frederick W., D.D. Billy Sunday: The Man and Method. Boston, Massachusetts: The Murray Press, 1916.

  • Ellis, William T., L.L.D. Billy Sunday: The Man and His Message. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The John C. Winston Co., 1914.

  • Rodeheaver, Homer. 20 Years with Billy Sunday. St. John, Indiana: Christian Book Gallery, 1957.

  For further reading on Scranton and coal mining:

  • Bowen, George W. Diamonds of the Mines. Scranton, Pennsylvania: International Textbook Company, 1928.

  • Greene, Homer. Coal and the Coal Mines. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1889.

  • Hitchcock, Frederick L. and John P. Downs. History of Scranton and Its People, Vol. I. New York, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914.

  • International Correspondence Schools. The Coal Miner’s Handbook. Scranton, Pennsylvania: International Textbook Company, 1913.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I’m Scranton born and raised. We shovel our neighbor’s sidewalks when it snows, and send meals to folks when a loved one passes. Generosity is the rule, not the exception. I began this journey called Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night with nothing more than a few details about a family tragedy and a legendary blizzard. Several years later, I’m humbled by the giving spirit I encountered along the way.

  I am a writer and a teac
her, not a historian, so I need to recognize the efforts of numerous people who shared their expertise with me. Many thanks to Harold Bowers and the miners at the Lackawanna County Coal Mine; Richard Stanislaus and the workers at the Anthracite Heritage Museum; Cheryl Kashuba, Alan Sweeny, Bob Booth, and the staff at the Lackawanna Historical Society; Bob Shuster from the Billy Graham Center Archives; the librarians at the Albright Memorial Library; Greg Williams, corporate sales manager at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel; Kathy Gavin, owner of Stirna’s Restaurant; and Bill Ferri, owner of Ferri’s Pizza.

  And since I only speak English, thank you to Jessica Dziadas and her grandmother, Tatiana Szerniewicz, for assisting me with the Polish in the book, and my “cousins” Eddie and Jennifer Thomas for the Welsh translations.

  Years ago, James and Jane Widenor organized all of the First Christian Church’s historical documents and created a “Memorabilia Room.” Because of their efforts, I was able to research my church’s history and create the fictional Providence Christian Church.

  And thanks to Jane Widenor for allowing me to interview her. Her stories, and those of Laura Davis, Marion Thomas, and Violet Williams, three church members who’ve long since “gone home,” enriched my writing. Thank you also to Gayle Williams for sharing her grandmother’s life story.

  To my “reading weekend” buddies and dear friends—Jane Baugess, Carol Kochis, Ann Lehman, Kim Mancini, and Judy Nudi—thank you for your encouragement, and to Carol, in particular, for giving me the widow Lankowski. Thanks to Kim and Mark Nied for answering my questions, and to my students at Pocono Mountain, past and present, for inspiring me to dream.

  Thank you to Cary Holladay, my fiction professor at Memphis University, for telling me to “find an MFA program when you get back to Scranton.” A week later I enrolled in Wilkes University’s creative writing master’s program. Thanks to all of my classmates for cheering me on, even with the extra semester! And special thanks to Dawn Leas, Ronda Bogart, Rick Priebe, and Tom Borthwick for seeing me through to the end.

  I’m also grateful for the faculty at Wilkes, especially Bonnie Culver, Jean Klein, J. Michael Lennon, Nancy McKinley, Jan Quackenbush, and Chris Tomasino. Their lessons forever changed my writing and my life.

  And thanks to my “workshoppers” who committed to reading the whole manuscript: Laurie Loewenstein, Nina Solomon, Theasa Tuohy, Deirdre Sinnott, Liz Dalton, Monique Lewis, Heather Bryant, Suzanna Filip, and Mary Horgan.

  Special thanks to my mentor and publisher, Kaylie Jones, who somehow saw the promise in my story, even when I struggled to see it myself. My book is what it is because of her. She gave me strength and confidence, and she gave me her piano. For that, I’ll always be grateful.

  And thank you to Johnny Temple of Akashic Books, for taking a chance on a teacher from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

  I’m thankful for my family, those related by blood and by heart. To Jeff Aukscunas, for all those hours at the microfilm machine and, more importantly, for all the years of friendship. When I first told you about my idea, you said, “Now that’s a book I’d like to read.” You made me believe I was onto something. Thanks for all the love and laughs.

  And to Michael Bonser for more love, more laughs, and an undeniable faith in my talent.

  Thank you to my great-aunt, Louise Lynch, for allowing me to ask so many questions. And to my mother, Pearl Taylor, and my grandmother, Alice Howells, for sharing your love and stories through the years. I only wish you were all still here so I could listen better.

  And to the McGraws, Alice, Jimmy Jr., Jimmy III, and Megan. I am in awe as I watch how you support each other through seemingly insurmountable odds. Your faith and courage inspire me. And to my sister, Alice, thank you for your unconditional love.

  Finally, my heartfelt thanks to my father, Carl Taylor, my companion on this journey. You never said no to mine tours, museums, or pizzerias. And you answered my questions about everything from birdcalls to cockfights. I love you for always daring me to dream, while standing close enough to catch me.

  BONUS MATERIALS

  Gallery

  Reading Group Guide

  An Interview with Kaylie Jones

  Author's Statement

  PHOTO GALLERY

  Photograph of my Aunt Pearl (far right, second row), the inspiration for the character of Daisy, taken on July 4, 1918, the day of her baptism and accident. Her sister, Janet, who loosely inspired the character, Violet, stands next to Pearl.

  A view of North Washington Avenue in downtown Scranton, 1907.

  Postcard of the Poli Theater on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton, where countless Vaudevillians performed, including my fictional Rosalee.

  Photograph of my great-grandmother, Louise Harris Morgan, the inspiration for the character of Grace.

  I’m not sure who these women are—possibly related to my grandfather, William J. Howells. They reminded me of Grace and Hattie, or members of the chorus.

  The First Christian Church on North Main Avenue in Scranton, inspiration for the Providence Christian Church. The steeple was removed decades ago, and the brick building has a cream-colored finish.

  Another picture of my great-grandmother, Louise Harris Morgan.

  A postcard of local miners and breaker boys, circa 1910.

  The Number 25 School on School Street in the Providence section of Scranton where Daisy, Violet and Stanley would have studied.

  A photograph of Billy Sunday, the famous evangelist who campaigned in Scranton in 1914 and appears in my novel.

  Interior of the tabernacle built for Billy Sunday's 7-week campaign in Scranton, PA.

  Interior of the Lackawanna Train Station where Billy Sunday arrives on the scene.

  Breaker boys sorting coal from slate, 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.

  A hospital housed inside the mine.

  Old Home Week, Providence Square in Scranton, August, 1913, at the intersection of Market Street and N. Main Ave.

  Reading Group Guide

  1. The title of the novel, Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night, is a variation of the old Welsh proverb, "Sing before breakfast, cry before supper." As Violet explains in chapter three, page 24, it means, "Don't count your fishes until they're caught." How does this adage relate to the novel? Also, Daisy sings prior to her accident. What other times in the novel does singing precede tragedy?

  2. Compare and contrast Grace and Grief. What is his purpose in the novel? Does his inclusion make Grace more or less sympathetic? What is significant about these lines from chapter thirty-three, page 287? What subtle change do they suggest?

  "Fascinating," Grief said as he stepped over to the girl. He slid the buttonhook out of his pocket and dragged it lightly across her cheek.

  Violet twitched.

  Will Grief return to the Morgan household, or is he gone for good by the end of the novel?

  3. Was Owen justified in slapping Grace? Why can't he forgive himself for striking her? What other times in the novel can Owen not forgive himself?

  4. In chapter thirty-five, pages 302–303, the author writes of Violet:

  After all, she was jealous of her sister, and she did throw that sparkler.

  All of it true.

  But not the truth.

  How can other people's accounts of the tragedy be true but not the truth? What other examples of "true v. truth" can you find in the novel? Can you think of any examples of this concept in today's world?

  5. The author describes the chorus of churchwomen who appear every few chapters and speak in one voice as "flawed but well-intended." How do you view these women? Do they transform in any way by the end of the novel? How do the helpful hints from Mrs. Joe's Housekeeping Guide relate to each chorus and the chapters that follow?

  6. What is ironic about Violet and Stanley's run-in with the widow in Murray's Store? What other examples of irony are in the novel?

  7. Describe Violet's friendship with Stanley. Would they still have become friends if Daisy hadn't died? Why or why not?
<
br />   8. Violet blames herself for Daisy's accident. What else does she blame herself for? Is she responsible for any of these events? Why or why not?

  9. Is Grace a good mother? Is Owen a good father? How do they change over the course of the novel? Are these changes permanent? Why?

  10. Most of the sermon material attributed to Billy Sunday was found in the sermon's "Theatre, Cards and Dance," "Backsliding," and "Get on the Water Wagon," all written by William A. Sunday. How relevant are Sunday's messages in today's world? What effect, if any, does Sunday's revival have on Owen? How about other characters in attendance? Compare Sunday's brand of evangelism to evangelists today.

  11. Although Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night takes place from 1913–14, many of its issues, including immigration, unfair labor practices for adults and children, excavating fuel at the expense of nature, evangelism, and spiritualism are relevant today. Compare and contrast these issues as they relate to early twentieth century America and today.

  12. How does the author explore the themes of loss, truth, redemption, and grace? What other themes did you discover as you read the novel?

  AN INTERVIEW WITH KAYLIE JONES

  Kaylie Jones: The first time I met you was in the cafeteria during the Wilkes University MFA residency in creative writing. You were a looking for a mentor to begin your novel. You had the kernel of an idea based on a family tragedy, and a chorus of church ladies who gave their collective opinion on how the family handled that tragedy. We talked for a long time and when I looked up, the cafeteria was empty and you'd missed your next class. What was it that personally haunted you about this family story and made you want to write it?