By: Lydia Caroline P
Indiana, Grade: 5

Dearest Diary,

October 29, 1929
Oh, how I long for our money back. Papa had very much money in the stock markets, and we were very rich. But sadly, all our money, 1,234,557 dollars, gone! We could not afford house bills, so we were evicted to this hobo camp, down in Northen Tennesee. Pa and Ma both hated the camp, so we just went on the streets. Ma got a job as soup kitchen worker, and we finally made enough money to buy a little cottage on a nearby farm this lovely family decided to give us. Daddy found a job at the soup kitchen. They both work hard, and we are very happy now. Mama ordered all of our furniture to be brought here for six cents to each worker man. It cost her 18 cents. Then Ma had my baby sister, Carrie. When she had her, she looked happier than ever. But we had huge medical bills, electric and heating bills also. Daddy was shot by a mean man named Sir John Booth. He was put into jail. We buried daddy beneath the willow,and said this would be okay. So then Carrie was diagnosed with the flu, and she was treated with cancer shots, instead of flu shots. So, her body sshut down slowly, then she died. Momma bought me this lovely diary with Dearest Diary engraved on the front. I was very happy. I tried to make Mama happier by doing a jig, but I just knocked over the lamp and broke it. She cried for weeks, because daddy gave it to her. All of this is too much. When the hard times are over, I do not think life will be the same. God bless and goodnight,

Lydia C. P