By Robert Morgan
Young Julie Harmon is the strongest one in her family. She does the men's work, whether it's chopping wood or slaughtering a hog. She's seen her share of sorrows growing up in hardcrapple North Carolina: her little brother dies of fever and her father dies from a tuberculosis-like illness. Hank Richards shows up in town one day and, apparently impressed by 17-year-old Julie's work ethic, proposes. The two are married and travel across the state line to Gap Creek, SC, moving into a room in a widower's house, exchanging lodging for housekeeping. Hank loses his job in a brick factory and the young couple live off food gathered from the land, whether wild turkeys or "taters". The landlord is burned in a kitchen fire and ultimately dies, though probably not directly due to his injuries. The couple face more problems: scammers, a drunk neighbor, a premature birth, damaging storms, and even a critical mother-in-law - but they also find friendship in their church and Julie never loses hope, supporting and encouraging her husband, showing a maturity way beyond her years, and trusting in the Lord.
Julie's voice is strong, authentic and memorable.
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