The Silver Concho

1850, Llano, Texas aJake, my time has comea]Iave got words for you and Matta] Remember this all your daysa] Life is a rub-board. Itas full of bumps and rough places. All of them can be for good or bada] If youare strong and last through those bumps and rough places, youall come out clean and smellina good. But if youare nota]youall tear up and fall to pieces and youall be good for nothina.a Squeezing the boyas hands for the last time, Big Mama said to the fourteen-year-old, aBe a man.a