young and old alike, were drawn to her by her indefinable magnetism and remembered her for the rest of their lives. Even the most self-conscious felt at ease in her presence. People drove clear from Louisville, a good forty minutes each way, to have dinner at the White Cottage. A state congressman would drive an hour out of his way just to see her. Such was the positive current that flowed from her that total strangers told her things they’d never told another soul. And, of course, she was a repository for the town’s secrets, which were mainly told in the “little room” behind the kitchen. I would listen to these secrets from the rocker where I sat covered with a quilt. Everyone knew they could trust the silent little girl to say nothing.

Topsy was fearless and was known for having once slapped a loaded gun from the