Quoted By:
'I Love Him," Is Child's Response to Blessings of Neighbors.
Sneedville, Tenn.
Shy Eunice Johns, 9, bride of two weeks, alternated between smiles and tears today as scripture quoting montaineer neighbors bestowed mixed blessings upon her marriage to a man 13 years her senior.
Rawboned Charlie Johns, six foot bridegroom, sat by in nervous silence. But not his 33 year old mother-in-law, who had plenty to say in defense of the union.
"The Bible says not to disturb those peacefully getting along, and I don't believe in going against the Bible," firmly declared Mrs. Lewis Winstead.
"If they love one another, then getting married is the thing to do."
Herself married at 16, Mrs. Winstead is a grandmother and has another daughter who married at 13.
Charlie a Good Boy.
"Charlie is a good boy," said Mrs. Winstead, beaming with pride.
"He's a hard worker. He bought 40 acres a few days ago so they could have a home. Of course, understand, I haven't brought my children up to marry what men has got but to marry for love."
Mrs. Winstead heatedly denied Eunice is interested in dolls.
"Charlie bought her a nice, big doll for Christmas, but she only played with it few times," she said. "Eunice is interested in sewing and she is as smart as can be about cooking."
Charlie, clad in new overalls and jumpers, fingered a brown cap and nodded agreement.
Plays with Sister.
Eunice shrank from all the to-do caused by her marriage and spent the day playing with her two year old sister at her mother's mountain home.
"I love Charlie," was all she'd say.
She wore three rings, one a yellow gold band which Mrs. Winstead said was the gift of a neighbor. Her golden hair tumbled over her shoulders and her eyes brightened when her favorite pet, a white rat, scampered across the floor.
Mrs. Winstead said the couple would live with them a while. Her husband, who tills a hilly, 45 acre farm, said "the marriage is all right with me ? there's nothing you can do about it now."
