Poplin, of the “Turnip Green Patch Story”

When Poplin discovered that the man whom she thought she was marrying had suddenly and without warning married another woman, she was shocked. To make matters worse, she was dressed in her wedding gown waiting for him to pick her up so they could elope when she was told of this devastating news. He had eloped, but not with her. She realized that her hopes and dreams of a happy marriage with the man who had so freely professed love for her, was hopeless, as he now belonged to someone else.

The news of her “condition” spread like wildfire. An illegitimate child on the way. Such a disgrace. Consequently, she was kept cloistered in her home, where her mother frequently reminded her of the shame she had brought on her family’s name. No one seemed to put the blame on her lover, but assumed she had seduced him.

“You might as well wear a scarlet ‘A’ on your forehead, like that adulteress did, in that book that Pastor Hamlin preached against Sunday morning; that sinful book, that he forbade anyone to read. He was looking straight at you!” Poplin could only bow her head in shame, as her mother continued her tirade. “I think you’ll stay away from church from now on, Poplin Smith. And when the peddling wagon comes, you stay in the house out of sight; I’ll do the trading. In fact, since you’re already beginning to show, you can just stay in the house, altogether.”

Poplin had gone to Miss Sadie, the local midwife, early on, and had been given an approximate date for her confinement. The midwife had been kindly, and in a reassuring tone of voice said, “Honey, you’re not the first, and no doubt you’ll not be the last,” as she gave her a gentle pat on the back.

Her mother had bought a length of flannel material from the peddler and had made two little gowns for the expected baby, as well as cut narrows strips of cloth to serve as a belly band. “You’ll need to put this band on around the belly to hold its navel in, so it won’t stick out and look ugly, and maybe even cause a hernia.” She had also made a couple of diapers and secured two safety pins in readiness for thebaby.

After Poplin went to bed that night, she laid her hand gently on her abdomen, and whispered loving words to her baby. “I’ll always take care of you, sweet Carrie,” because she believed—and wished—with all her heart that her baby would be a girl. This became a nightly ritual, and was always her last thoughts as she lulled herself to a peaceful sleep.

After a while her mother began to reconcile hers