We had walked up Mauch Rd. It was named for the Mauch family who had owned a farm at the end of it. Before the WPA paved it my Paw said it was a good name for it. Back then it was just a mud hole, truly a mock road.
We hiked along feeling happy as a lark. We were going berrying. our destination was Blange Rd. Old man Blange allowed us to pick berries there. Paw and my oldest brother J B carried the old double tub filled with buckets between them. Abe and I carried a regular wash tub. They were empty now, but would be full to the brim with berries. The double tub with black berries. The tub with dewberries and the buckets with raspberries. All but two they were for the most precious berry of all. Wild strawberries, Paw called them rubies. One bucket was for Mrs. Blange In payment for picking rights . The other was for Maw. She served them with sugar and cream. Paw always raised a ruckus. Maw shared with us younguns. She said they were sweeter when shared, otherwise they were bitter. Paw's reply made Maw say, "Jess what kind of language is that in front of children."
When we got to the patch we split up. Paw and J B picked the rubies. They required skill. Otherwise they would be trampled underfoot. When they finished the rubies were placed in the shade. Then they picked the dew berries. Abe worked the fencerows. As this was my first time picking I carried the buckets and filled the tubs. Paw and J B joined Abe in the fencerows. When the tubs were full we began the journey home.
Paw holding one handle of the double tub and one handle of the wash tub. J B the other handle of the double and a bucket. Abe one handle of the wash tub and a bucket. Me with a bucket of apples Mrs, blange gave us in return for the rubies. It is amazing how short the trip was going to the patch compared to how long it was going home. Berries sure are heavy, but well worth the trouble.