The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TALE

ONE MORNING A WOMAN WENT DOWN THE BASEMENT TO DO THE
LAUNDRY, WITH ONLY HER NIGHTGOWN ON. REALIZING THAT THIS
ALSO NEEDED WASHING, SHE TOOK IT OFF AND PUT IT IN WITH
THE LOAD OF CLOTHES. WHILE WORKING OVER THE MACHINE
IN HER "BIRTHDAY SUIT" A PIPE STARTED TO LEAK, SO SHE
PUT ON HER SON'S FOOTBALL HELMET WHICH WAS SITTING
RIGHT NEXT TO THE MACHINE. AT THAT MOMENT THE GAS-MAN
ENTERED THE HOUSE AND STARTED DOWN THE STEPS. THE
WOMAN, HEARING HIM, HID BEHIND THE FURNACE. AFTER HE
HAD LEFT, SHE FELT THE COAST WAS CLEAR AND CAME OUT,
ONLY TO HEAR FROM THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, "I HOPE
YOUR TEAM WINS, LADY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Date learned: 00-00-1964