Appalachia Story The Letter as told by The Appalachian Storyteller. Follow this channel by Subscribing Support this channel by clicking the JOIN button or SUPER THANKS official t-shirts, stickers, magnets, Appalachian candles and more at www.theappalachianstoryteller.com Make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE Also follow me on facebook. facebook.com/theappalachianstoryteller Got a story you want us to tell? Email theappalachianstoryteller@gmail.com Business Inquiries The Appalachian Storyteller PO Box 6022 Oak Ridge TN 37831

My father served in WWII and he also had an affair with a French woman. My mother had already given birth to my oldest sister when she received a letter from him telling her he planned to stay in France with this woman. I don’t know exactly what happened but my father did return and they had three more daughters. My father was 19 when he left our small town and stormed the beaches of Normandy on D Day. I often put myself in his shoes and can understand how he sought comfort in love. Things were so different in those days.

Sir, there were angels in that room when the letter burned because they were the ones that directed that child's hand .. ... You preserved the honor of that family and that was the greatest deed you could offer them

Absolutely wonderful story. I'm so glad the baby innocently threw the letter away. He unknowingly gave his mother the gift of having an untarnished memory of his father.

I can’t help but wonder about the equally innocent French girl and her child.

God measures the content of our heart, and returns goodness for goodness. Thank you for the story.

What a perplexing moment for the lingster when he read the letter the women gave him to translate from French to English. Because he felt compassion for the young pregnant woman he decided to deceive her, as fate would have it the little boy saved him from the guilt and shame of being exposed as deceitful and a liar. But more importantly he saved his family from the shame they would have felt from his deceitful father. Providence? Who knows . What would you have done in the lingster place? Great story. Enjoyed.

I hope Héloïse eventually found real love with someone else. Thank you for your wonderful storytelling!

I'm not sure who you are, but your voice and stories bring me back home to the mountains...nearly to tears. I woke up in Wilmington, NC and you had a cup of mountain story telling to go with my coffee this morning. Thank you for doing this =)

I made the mistake of putting this on during my work out right now. It’s so captivating I can hardly pay attention anything else. Great Saturday as always!

What a fantastic storyteller....I was totally transported to rural Appalachia

The lingster had been faced with a difficult dilemma and made the compassionate decision. Somehow I feel that though it was an untruth God understood and intervened in allowing the letter to be destroyed. Wonderful story, JD. Thank you!

The 'lingist' did the right thing. Mountain folk don't take kindly to betrayals or breaking of vows. If the truth was known, he probably wouldn't have been welcomed back with sorrow and tears from loved ones. Another wonderful story, JD.

What a beautiful story and how he saved more heartbreak. I hope the young mother and her sweet little boy found love and happiness in the years that came.

Even though I live in Denmark, these stories makes me long for the proud days of these Appalachian mountain people!

My God I cannot believe I have fallen in love with these stories!!! And JD the narrator is absolutely gifted! What a story I would have done the exact same! Thank you for these

Oh how I miss going down in them hills. My dad and his dad's kinfolk had lived in appalachian mountains since the 1600s, and of course our Native ancestors have been there for 1000s of years. I am the 1st generation of that family line to be born and raised in the north. During the 1950s my dad and a lot of others in our family moved up here looking for jobs because the poverty had become soo bad down there even though they grew their own food & hunted and farmed out the kids and sent the kids to work at about the age 13. We have always called Appalachia "the hills" for some reason. After having been out west high in those mountains I can see why. I spent a lot of time down in the hills in the summer growing up. I cherish those times even though a lot of our relatives did not have indoor water, electricity, and had out houses. It was just the way it was, no big deal. No telephones in many of the homes either but them hillfolks sure did get the word out that Yankees had come to pay a visit and they'd come bringing a pie or cookies etc. Even homemade moonshine. Those moon shiners are long since gone as are their stills. Some of them did not have indoor plumbing but daily bathing was very important. Carrying in buckets of water and heating up some of them buckets and bathed was normal. To not bathe was like a sinister sin. We could play in the mud, sand, creek and get all dirty but then bath time came and the kids were washed squeaky clean as were their clothes even though they were older patched up clothes. We emostly stayed in cheap little motels most of the time though. A few kids were disappointed in me because they had hoped that my accent would sound like the ones on the radio or TV but due to my dad's influence I pronounce a lot of my words like he did but I mostly sound like a northerner. My mom's people have been up here in this county for 200 years. My health has become real bad making traveling difficult and affording a motel impossible but I would love to be in them hills again to see & feel them. To pick the berries and pig out on them. To feel the serenity once again. To feel the strong familiarity that my blood line has with those hills (mountains). 💜🪶💜

Amazing story, as well as a tender example of Gods grace to both the family and the college professor. Another stinking tearjerker JD! ☺️ Thank you so much for these great stories you bring us. Many Blessings my friend. jj

Yes a wonderful way to start my day. The fiddle in the beginning touches my soul. Thank you.

Your stories remind me of a grandfather telling a story from years past thank you

One more glorious example of the simplistic beauty of the mountains and the people that call the mountains home. Told by a true admirer of those mountains and the people. History at it's finest. Thank you, and GOD BLESS!

Such a blessful story, bring tears to ya eyes.Beautifully told.

Well done! This is the spoken word at its finest. I was enthralled from the start. I put aside a rather pressing writing project, leaned back and lost myself in the word picture you have created of a world lost to time. After listening to this story, I can say with certainty I shall be spending a goodish bit of time these next few days perusing your playlists. Nothing helps a man write well than listening to good writing as he sets to his labor I thank you for the inspiring prose.

Perhaps the spirit of the deceased young soldier, directed his son, to throw the letter into the fire. As a last goodwill gesture on the young soldier's part. Seeing as how his untimely demise, had brought so much heartache and pain to those he loved. Leaving them with fond, lasting memories. Of a courageous war hero, never to be forgotten. 🇺🇸

Mama always said that one lie lid to another 😮❤❤

JD, I was watching this unfold on the screen of my mind as you brought it to life. What an incredible episode of your someday-to-be-produced miniseries this would make!

Thank you for yet another beautiful tale of yonder years 😊 I think the professor was both quick thinking and kind and his actions saved the family from a lifetime of agony

This is better than any O. Henry story I ever read. Thank you for presenting it.

Such a sad story but yet he did save hearts from breaking even more. He did the admire thing.

This is now one of my all time favorites great story

What a sweet story to start my day.

Great story JD 👏 💗 God is Merciful and knows whats best! 😃👍

Wow A tear jerker but simply beautiful story Very touching Thank you

I’m still bingeing @TheAppalachianStoryteller JD. 🥰

Clicked on this video out of curiosity. I was not prepared of what I was going to hear. Really brought me to tears. What a beautiful story. Greetings from Germany 💫

A story of the heart.So touching to hear. Thanks JD!

I enjoy listening to you. You have a very calming voice and a wonderful accent. Big hello from Scotland in the UK xx

In the course of our lives we all make mistakes. Mistakes for numerous reasons but it doesn't mean we are a horrible person. I do not feel the Professor made a mistake but the young man gave way to temptation in a very stressful time. The Professor was a hero in helping this young man save face with his family who might not fully understand. Better to keep his memory a honorable one. What is said can't be unsaid.

I walked through the whole story as if I was the professor himself. The end of the i story could have gone in so many directions at the end. I was actually writing the end of the script in my head so it wouldn't go pear-shaped on the professor and the family. Great story. No sins committed here, just old fashion empathy and compassion for a fellow human. ❣️☘️

Great Story!!! Hard facts of life!!! I do also pray that God Forgives as we protect others from the harm done by their loved ones!!!!!

The wonderful and fascinating art of real story-telling; what a treat !

You are a gifted storyteller that really hold an audience!

Sometimes there are things that do not need to be said. This is an example. Every family has these stories, that serve no purpose to repeat. I hang on to these that were told to me by my fathers mother. They serve no use except to cause pain and anger. I shared with my brother, and these stories will die with us, and not be used as a weapon to hurt those living without the knowledge we keep hidden.

I am a city girl who married a mountain man. Not from Appalachia more like blue ridge Virginia. We divorced I have 3 children and the DNA is undeniably. Loved your story telling really drawn me in. Thank you

Another great story JD. I look forward to your next one. Please don't stop what you've been doing, you give this old man a reason to look forward to friday !!!!

This is my favorite one yet!!! Keep them coming please.

Sometimes the truth is a bitter pill to swallow. The professor spared the family heartache. Who's to say it was right or wrong. I will say many things in that happens in a person's life we are better of not knowing.

What a story

I love these stories.

Now that child's great grandchild is subscribed to the Appalachian Storyteller and learns " the real story"...

Now that was a good story,we’re setting here on the couch,wondering how this was gonna play out,both of us holding our breath till the end,thanks for the story

Wonderful! I would guess that some angels wrote in that book that he was a very compassionate man. And I think those same angels nudged that baby toward the fire and might have even directed that letter toward its demise. But that’s just my guess!!

Beautifully done. Thank you so much for your time and sharing your capabilities.

What a story! My goodness!

The best Appalachian Storyteller Chanel. Thanks for the stories!!!!

I absolutely love these stories especially the longer ones like this one. Scared me to death when I thought the other man was going to read the letter.

What a great story

Very good story. Thank you. Life for many is truly a vale of tears. ❤

God is good 🙌🏻you will be forgiven . You did them a tremendous favor. May God forgive us all 🥲🤦‍♀️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

What a great story! While trying to redirect what the letter said, he also had to repent for lying to the family. I’m sure with his repentance came forgiveness from God. Thanks for sharing! Blessings always! ❤️✝️

Ohh. Couldn’t breathe for a minute there. Best story ever

That was extremely well done. Many thanks for an unexpected treat.

Great story Storyteller GOD BLESS y’all Amen 🙏

I’ve been waiting for this for weeks! I love the sound of your voice and the story is beautiful! Thank you so much!

This was a really good one! I was enthralled until the end.

Wow... what a predicament. I'm glad it worked out for everyone... his heart was in the right place for sure....I think he did the right thing. Great story... thanks JD 😎👍

As always a wonderful story. Thank you . God bless you and yours.

My husband and I found your channel and now we are addicted. You do an awesome job of telling the stories.

Now that was a gooder 😊💕

Great story. Truly captivating.

I have to believe the words in The Book of Life for you and your reading of this letter will be kindness. God bless you

Incredible story and what a predicament for the professor!

My first ever listen to the storyteller. Beautifully done Ty going to look for more on your channel now

This story is amazing, such kindness

Ohhh my! What an amazing story ❤ Thank you so much I loved it!!

I just discovered you. I'm from WV so this is a pleasant surprise. Love your stories.

I appreciate the work you put into these stories

It's a beautiful story and I would have done the same thing.

Great story! It came to my mind though, that if a real situation, it could still go bad if the young French girl decided to write another letter, or worse yet, show up.😳

Tugs at your heart strings. True or not story kept my attention to the end.

What a story! I was dumbfounded on how to reply to it, but towards the end, it all made sense. Here was a young man far away from home feeling very lonely and vulnerable to anything or anyone. Thrown into a place in time so unfamiliar to him. I don't believe he meant to be unfaithful to his wife, but he needed to be needed even for a short time. Wartime changes many, and soldiers are forced to live in the moment because there may not be a tomorrow. Thanks for another great and moving story. ❤

Great story, JD. It's a great way to start the day.

Talk about being at the right place at the right moment. Very good story

The Appalachian Storyteller; Thank you so much for having this channel. I have enjoyed each and every story you bring before us. This story was full of bitter sweet moments. I felt sorry for the loss of the letter but, I believe it was ordained that the grandmother gave it to the baby. Thanks again. Stan

Thank you for your stories. You bring comfort to those of us who have wandered away from home.

Thank You for this information my Great grandfather worked in Yellow Creek in Bell County

Good story. My grandmother always said, "It will all come out in the wash." She was right. Truth is best. Mountain folk are tough. They know about infidelity. And the value of honesty. They deserved that respect. Karma made this man sweat, but Grace saved the family from pain. Good story.

That was a excellent story.

This was great

My favorite story so far.

Beautiful story and pictures. I really enjoyed this. Thank You! Listening from Alberta Canada! New Subscriber here.

Wow!that was a close one! I can just see the sweat breaking out on that fellows pale face when Granny broke that letter out to hear again .That was a good story.Thanks!

Thank you very much such an incredible story we're from the hills of Tennessee also thank you very much

Imagine the excitement of the young french girl for her new, new husband, new family and new life in America. And then the broken heart. A lot of broken hearts here. Thank God the little baby behaved as a little baby!

You come up with some truly captivating stories!👍

Love listening to you tell these stories from the Great Smoky Mtns, a place from my childhood. I have fond memories from the other side of the Appalachian Mtns near the Eastern Cherokee Indians called Qualla Boundary. The spring water was delicious and ice cold. Thanks for sharing another great story.

Thanks for sharing this letter, I didn't move an inch until you'd finished reading it, loved the old photos too. 😊

What a wonderful story and so well told. Thank you!

THIS SEGMENT SHOULD BE PUT ON THE BIG SCREEN JD MY AMAZING

What a inspirational story. Full of compassion. Thank you for sharing. Love your stories. God Bless You