In his third book, The Ghost of Roark Ridge, Rufus Franklin Stephenson looks back once again to his early years growing up in Mississippi in a large family on a sharecrop cotton farm. Through intermingled poetry and prose, he tells of a playful childhood too often colored by the burdens of economic hardship. Faced with the prospect of continuing in poverty into his adulthood, Rufus is driven west to seek his fortune, but years later, upon retirement, he and his wife Joyce are irresistibly drawn back to the lush and vibrant South. Settling on the beautiful Roark Ridge, Joyce and Rufus get the life of their dreams... and sometimes, more than they bargained for. The Ghost of Roark Ridge And Other Stories By Rufus Franklin Stephenson AuthorHouse Copyright © 2016 Rufus Franklin Stephenson All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5246-4501-4 Contents Dedication, 7, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, 9, INTRODUCTION, 11, LOUISE AND DAISY, 13, FAMILY FRIENDS, 23, SHINING HEAD, 27, A POSSUM ON THE RAILS, 39, BEEF TRIPE, 47, THE KLAN, 49, RUFUS AND ELMO, 51, Danger on the Yazoo, 58, Exploring Mint Springs and the Cemetery, 67, Moving On, 79, Another Night on the River, 83, Summer Vacation, 91, Problems with Elmo, 97, Flood Water and Alligator Gar, 111, Prayer Meeting and a Car Wreck, 124, Crossing the River Bridge from Vicksburg to Louisiana, 128, BOWIE, 147, FIRST BALE OF COTTON, 149, FEEDING THE CHICKENS, 153, AN OLD WOOD STOVE, 157, POOR FOLKS'FOOD, 161, CORNBREAD AND BEANS, 165, DRUNK BIRD STEW, 167, A GIANT TURNIP, 169, SQUIRREL STEW, 173, TATER PATCH, 175, A FISH STORY, 179, COTTON PICKER, 181, FROM RAGS TO RICHES, 191, SLOPPING HOGS, 197, BLACKSMITH SHOP, 199, RUFUS AND HIS MULE, 203, A TRIP TO THE GRISTMILL, 209, BUCKY THE BEAVER, 211, BILLY THE KID, 215, ERNIE THE PIG, 223, RUFUS AND JOE, 229, A FOX HUNT, 233, A NUT CASE, 241, THE WATERMELON MAN, 245, THE FUNNY FARM, 257, MILKING A COW, 261, KENNIE, ME, AND TUBBY LEE, 263, CARTOAD, 267, HOBO HOTEL, 273, A CHRISTMAS ANGEL, 301, A NEW LIFE, 303, THE GHOST OF ROARK RIDGE, 305, Head 'Em Up, Move 'Em Out, 305, From Branson to Springdale, Arkansas, 310, Looking for a Home, 312, Tragedy in Colorado, 318, Moving into Our Dream Home, 319, New Friends and Sycamore Log Church, 325, Our Friend Willard Jones, 336, Our Early Visits to the Ozarks, 338, Jammin' for Jesus and Barbara Fairchild, 342, Adventures, 343, The Ghost of Roark Ridge, 356, Looking Back to Our Beginning, 372, Temptation and Disappointments, 379, Our Biggest Temptation Ever, 384, A Change of Pace, 387, Singing with The Gatlin Brothers, 392, Clem School Reunion, 394, Changing Seasons, 397, PLAY THE SONGS, 409, ALL ABOARD, 411, FRIENDS, 413, RUFUS AND THE LADYBUGS, 433, LEON THE HERO RABBIT, 447, CHAPTER 1 LOUISE AND DAISY They met back in the forties On top of Givins Hill. The town was north of Vicksburg And was known as Waltersville. They both were raising families With babies on the way. Louise was due in February And was anxious for that day! Louise had four children, Daisy had just two, But lost a son in forty-five; In August she had been due. Daisy and James felt sadness Along with their two girls, Losing that child in forty-five Upset their entire world. Faith, they had in Jesus And they knew it was God's will. Their tiny son would return to God Because of Calvary's hill! Time would pass by slowly But soon the day would come: On Valentine's Day of forty-six Louise gave birth to a son. Daisy had waited patiently But when the day arrived, Happy, she was, to see this child Who was so much alive! Losing a baby had broken her heart But Daisy spent some time With Louise and her newborn son And soon she took a shine. This tiny boy named Joseph Was watched over day and night. Louise and Daisy cared for him And he was never out of sight. Together, they worshipped God each week A short way down the hill, At a missionary bible Baptist church In the town of Waltersville. Close, they were, like sisters, Their friendship grew each day. On many Sundays after church These families ate and played. Their friendship never wavered They helped in every way, For each other's their doors were open Twenty-four hours a day! Daisy was called Ms. Henley, Louise was Ms. Louise, James was Mr. Henley And all the kids were pleased. Their lives were filled with hope and joy, For Jesus there was love. For him, they lived their life each day And built their home above! Life for them was a struggle, Times were often tough. Ups and downs, there were a few But never did they give up. One day the Henleys moved away Not far from Givins Hill, To the town of Kings on sixty-one. They knew it was God's will. No longer were they neighbors But their friendship never swayed. Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights They worshipped God and prayed. These families would often visit,