God’s Money Final

The story continues in Memphis, at a church convention (circa 1952).

So, in Memphis I was allowed to run free, except I had to attend the night church services. I had a couple friends Charles Delk and Johnny Horton we ran together. There we encountered what I now know must have been a pedophile. We boys bought peanuts and enjoyed feeding the pigeons in a downtown park. An old man approached us to ‘Show is something’, we all gathered around. He had a fountain pen with a woman in it, the little form was dressed and in water. When he turned it upside down her dress came off and she was nekkid! WOW COOL! In 1952 to 12-13 year of boys that was RISQUE’. 

He said, “Come on with me to my room and I will give you all one.”  Well we weren’t born yesterday, and said we wanted the pens but had to get back to our parents. We took off. That day as we walked, Johnny said, “Jackie when we come to the next stop light where that cop is, ask me real loud, “Johnny, does your dad work?”

So I did. His answer real loud was, “No Jack, he’s a COP!” I couldn’t believe what I heard. After saying that he ran down the street, Charles and I following, laughing like crazy. Remember all the jokes about little Johnny? Johnny Horton lived up to his name. I guess this all started because of the book I am writing about ‘Johnny’.

The next day in the park, the old man was back. This time he had pens for Charles and me. He also had a neat magic trick or two. He talked a little ‘dirty’ to us. We had never heard an adult talk like that, it was creepy. WE ‘KNOWED’ that guy was a SINNER! But we still listened. He again tried to get us back to ‘his room’ to see some ‘real nekkid girls pictures’, we took the pens and ran off.   He was even creeping us ‘cool-bad’ PKs out. We never saw the guy again.  Looking back on that I wonder how many lonely kids fell for that line. I guess pedophiles have always been around, thank goodness we had no further interest.

Children have always been exposed to dangers that parents never learn about. That is a sad part of life. I think parents today are more open with their kids about dangers. Kids don’t walk alone too much now a days.

I think our grands and great grands are more protected in this day.

Okay, this ‘God’s Money’ subject is over. Thanks for visiting, On to another subject.

Nite Shipslog.

                                                 The 1952 Caddy