By RAY ADLER
Ask Adler
Do you have memories of your grandfather?
Mother was the youngest of a family of nine, and I was grandfather’s next to last grandchild. He was 84 when my youngest sister was born.
He often told stories that happened along life’s way. One such story took place on a wintery December day in 1899. He went with his fiancée’s father from his home near Wingate to Crawfordsville to obtain his marriage license. A short distance from his father-in-law’s farm, a band of gypsies were camped near the road. As grandpa and his soon-to-be father-in-law approached, a slender lad began asking them for money. For a small sum he offered to dance by the roadside.
When there was no immediate response, he became insistent and declared, “I must make a living for my wife!” This plea elicited a coin. After a brief nimble performance, the dancing “bread-winner” returned to camp. It was a traveled custom for gypsy parents to arrange marriages for their children, giving the child’s consent when he or she reached the age of 12. The lad claimed to be almost 13.
When they proceeded on their way, my grandfather’s prospective father-in-law said, “That young man must keep on dancing the rest of his days.” The remarks seemed humorous at the time to Grandpa, but he later surmised it may have been intended to convey a double meaning, which included Grandpa as well.
On another occasion, Grandpa went to the Otter Creek Church, west of Brazil, but an epidemic of measles prevented services from being held. He stayed over the weekend with a family living near Fontanet where he accompanied them to Sunday evening church. Reverend Deeter was the pastor, and he cordially invited Grandpa to take part in the meeting.
Consequently, his position on the rostrum enabled him to see the young couple that came in late and occupied a rear seat near the door. Their rude behavior attracted the attention of the congregation. The minister continued speaking, apparently oblivious of this disorder, when, suddenly, digressing from his subject, he asked permission to tell a story. He began, “Once upon a time when Dr. Wilde was addressing a large audience, a young man in the assembly created a disturbance. He rebuked the offender, but without effect. A little later, a member of the congregation informed the speaker that the young man was an idiot. Ever after, Dr. Wilde was careful not to rebuke an idiot.”
The shame-faced couple was very quiet during the remaining service and hastened out of the door immediately following the benediction.
I was so very blessed to learn from the stories of my grandfather. Few things in life are more valuable than the advice from a long life well lived. Thus, it is not wise to argue with a fool or to rebuke an idiot, but do keep dancing.
Educational material and not legal advice, written by the team at Adler attorneys. Email andrea@noblesvilleattorney.com with questions or comments.