CURTIS &
MARGARET STEPHENS
Across
the Fence
The
Hamilton Herald-News
November
19, 1981
By
Arvord Abernethy
Another
former
Hamilton
County
pair is exercising their wings as they make plans to fly back to their old
roosting grounds north of Evant. Curtis and Margaret Stephens are building
themselves a lovely home this side of Evant.
The
Stephens left their farm in 1957 and moved to
Mansfield
where Curtis has worked for some time with the McLean Trucking Company and
Margaret has worked for Texas Instruments. Now they are having a Home,
with a capital H, built where they can settle down and enjoy the fruits of
their labors.
They
have selected an entirely new site for their home. It is back in cove of
the mountain north of Evant, and part way up on the side. They level off a
spot and built retaining walls next to the hill and at the front or the
terraced yard. This location gives excellent protection from the cold
north winds, yet all the benefits of southerly breezes. And the view from
the front porch is magnificent. As you look out across the pastures and
fields, you can almost see forever.
The
Stephens selected for the walls of their home, the tan and blue-gray rock
very similar to that in the Riley Funeral Home. It was found east of
Hamilton. Mr. Yeager of Goldthwaite did the rock work. It’s too bad that a black
and white picture can’t reveal the real beauty of the walls.
Downstairs
is a large living-dining area and from it; stairs lead to the two upstairs
bedrooms and bath. At one end of the big room is a large steel-jacketed
fireplace which Curtis said was largely for the pleasure of seeing an open
fire. At the other end of the room is one of those modern wood heaters
which will be the main source of heat for the downstairs as well as the
upstairs. They also have a wood heater in the kitchen area. Both of these
heaters are on rock hearths and have low rock walls near them for safety
and also to hold heat far into the night.
Off
the living room is the master bedroom with its large bath. Curtis has his
own bath near the utility area where he can clean up when he comes in from
work without having to go into the main house.
Curtis
was born in
Ireland,
Texas, when his father, Robert Stephens, was teaching school there. Mr.
Stephens also taught at Aleman one time. Margaret was also born in
Coryell
County, so both will be near their birthplaces when they get settled back.
Curtis
and Margaret both attended school in Evant, but it took a special school
program at
Ireland, which they both attended, for them to really meet and get that spark of
romance glowing in them. That proves the old saying, “The grass always
looks greener in the other school’s yard”.
The
Stephens have two sons and both are employed and living in the
Fort
Worth-Dallas
area. Right now they only have one grandchild to brag about and spoil when
he comes out to enjoy the grandparents’ new home.
I
saw an odd structure in the yard, so asked about it, it was a round rock
wall about two feet high and two feet across; not large enough nor high
enough for a cistern or dug well top. Curtis said that it was where he was
going to place his flag pole, which he had already bought, and he showed
it to me as we walked back down the hill to the pickup. He describes
himself as a flag man; he likes to fly Old Glory during the week in
respect for the country he admires, and the Christian flag on Sunday in
appreciation of the cause for which they are thankful.
The
Stephens are Baptists.
ACROSS THE FENCE
Shared by Roy
Ables