Since Grandpa was unaware of her involvement, she was relieved when the small Pinkham entourage-Lydia two of her sons, Dan and Will Henry Trampas Long and April herself- had left Dignity to conduct sales in a small town closer to Houston. Lydia was usually too busy making the compound and writing advertising copy to conduct a rally herself, but she'd decided to take the campaign on the road to the Houston area.Īpril considered today a plus. The rows of brown bottles lined up on the table in front of April had labels detailing all the ailments the tonic could cure.

Lydia brewed her compound on a stove in the cellar of her home. April was excited by the response and delighted to be part of the Pinkham team. Pinkham's theories on women's health issues seemed eager to learn what the product would do. Ladies were hesitant to talk about such things, but the group who'd come today to hear Mrs. Offering her product directly to women seemed to be a shrewd sales tactic. The women of Dignity were about to be catapulted into the modern age. Pinkham and her entourage had arrived late yesterday afternoon. The Pinkham Compound is a special formula of nature's own elements,' Lydia explained. 'And if I may be so bold, no woman should be condemned to suffer when there is a curative readily available!'Įyes widening, the women drew back as if a snake had bitten them. 'Sickness is as unnecessary as crime,' Lydia declared as the women pressed closer, trying to get a better look at the small brown bottles. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, eager to sell to those brave enough to try the revolutionary new cure-all for female complaints. 'Ladies, ladies! Please! May I have your attention! There's no need to shove! There's plenty to go around for all!'Īs Lydia Pinkham shouted to gain order, April stood behind a long table piled high with bottles of Lydia E.

Bluebonnet Belle by Lori Copeland