Sarah was carrying the child of Calvin Verner, and if known to the community, it would be disastrous for Sarah as well as the reputation of Calvin Verner. One option considered was a physician of questionable character who had an office on Railroad Street, and occasionally pocketed additional money by performing illegal surgery at his Railroad Street office late at night. Calvin, more afraid of the legal ramifications if this was ever exposed, as well as the devastating effect on his reputation, ruled this out. The other option, and the path that they followed, concerned a summer place Calvin wanted to purchase on an Orchard Island at Buckeye Lake. Sarah would move to the lake house in October, under the guise of getting the house ready for a gala New Years Eve Party hosted by Calvin. Harley agreed to this, even knowing that it would be impossible for him to see Sarah during those months. The weather would be cold, the lake frozen, and The inter-urban service to Hebron was not very good. After the park closed, transportation was difficult, at best. Sarah moved to the home on Buckeye Lake, and on Christmas Eve, 12/24, brought a son in to the world.
They named him Walt Mandrin, after Sarah's maiden name, and the Walt after Calvin's father, Walter H. Verner. Walt was immediately put in the care of the Children's Home on East Main Street in Newark, and spent his childhood in that imposing red brick structure. Occasionally, some members of the W.C.T.U. (the Women's Christian Temperance Union) would visit the home, and always, Sarah would spend time with all the children, but special attention was given to Walter.
Occasionally, also, Calvin Verner would visit and talk with the children. Walt often wondered about his mother and father, but there was always ample money for all of his spending needs, and his life was not too bad. When Walt graduated from Newark High School, the money suddenly appeared for him to further education at the college in Granville.
One afternoon, Walt heard a knock on his door at Denison. A stranger was at his door, he invited the stranger in. They talked for some time, and then, Jim told Walt that he was his half brother. Walt was filled with emotion as Jim told him of his mother and his father. He didn't mention any names, just who they were and familiarized him a little with their personalities and what they did.
They talked in to the wee hours of the morning. Jim envied Walt somewhat, he was getting a good Liberal Methodist Education at Denison, and surrounding himself with the affluence of an upscale wealthy Midwestern community, while Jim was learning to labor in the environment of the furnace room. The more they talked of their situations, the more angry Jim became. This just wasn't fair, he thought, why didn't I receive any of the benefits that Walt is receiving. In a fit of anger, Jim picked up Walt's baseball bat, as Walt was a member of the Denison Baseball Team, and struck Walt across the back of the head. Walt slumped to the floor. "That will teach the "bastard," Jim said to himself.
