By: Marissa H
Florida, Grade: 6

My name is Rosemary Cromwell. My parents are immagrants from England. We live in Texas. And our farm is ruined, we have few crops and only one cow. My grandmother has become sick with dust pnuemonia. Now all she does is knits and nods. I miss the days before the dust came and when i didn't have to clean so often. i also miss my former fiance, edward. who died of spainish influenza. My life has been horrible since the first stroke of dust came. I must write like I did before the dust came. I must be strong. My life has changed so much. This is a record of that life.


I was born on a small farm in Linconshire, England. When I was very young we came on a ship to this beautiful country of America. Mam and Da settled in Texas soon after. Oh! The wonderful springtimes i have had here. Especially when I met Edward,he was soon the only one who mattered to me. When we were engaged in 1929 I that my life was perfect. Three years later my life went bleak. Edward contracted Spainish Influenza and then the dust came. All these years I have been tortured by this dust. In my 17 years I have seen nothing like this, the deaths,the lost hopes and worst of all the loss of loved ones to this creeping particles. Now I must leave for in order to same our few acres of land I must be courted by John Cowthorpe the wayfaced son of William Cowthorpe. He was the richest man for miles other than Edward's father. He is the worst lowlife scoundrel since King George the third. Whom I am told has had a horrible influence on this country. I must go now to meet my fate. Soon I may wish the scilence of the dust would take me.