Working With A Purpose 33 
     
    
   
   
    
     Going to the mill with a grist was almost a special event. It took a little 
     
     planning because of time and distance involved and someone would need to 
     
     be around home to care for the livestock. The children were sometimes 
     
     allowed to climb on the wagon and go along for the ride, probably to fish in 
     
     the millpond while waiting or just stand and watch the huge overshot water— 
     
     wheel and listen to it groaning with the heavy load alotted to it. The 
     
     homeward ride in late afternoon with the several bags of freshly milled flour 
     
     and the smaller puckles” of bran and shorts was full of anticipation. A 
     
     steaming bowl of shorts porridge with lots of cream and sugar would be the 
     
     treat before going to bed. 
     
    
   
   
    
     u 
     
    
   
   
    
     The miller’s wife made many friends among the hungry farmers when 
     
     they came unexpectedly to the dinner table. Her planned menu always 
     
     allowed for a few extra helpings as she never knew how many would be on 
     
    
   
   
    
     hand for the noon meal. What a burden would have been taken from her 
     
     shoulders if a quick food outlet had been in operation across the road!