American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-19
From the Ladies, Vic tih. |

THE SPlNNIN WHEEL.
In this ago of fashionable living, it is really
bfreshing to 90 back a few years, and visit
yen in imagination, one of those quiet, seclud-
farm-houses which abound in New England,
he humble but happy homestead of generation
fter generation, TO whom every tree and shrub
bout the old place is dear and sacred. We
ave one now in the minds eye, where 80 many
delightful hours were spent in early youth, that
Fe cannot resist the temptation OF describing
for the benefit of such of our readers as
now little Of "real country" life. The house
Vas ali old-fashioned, un-painted, steep rooted
building, standing far back from the road, sur
ounded by frult-trees of various kinds, and
ooklng as you approached it, almost like a
birds nest concealed among the branches. -
The large yard in 'front.' at the earnest entrea-
ky of the ''girls," had been soWn with timothy
end clover, instead of corn and potato s, which
The father insisted would have been much the
better crop, and two small beds under the front
windows were given up to them for flowers
They had never even heard Of camellias or
dahlias, or even Of heliOtrOpes or verbenas, but
khey had abundance of bright margolds, sweet
civilians, China-asteTs, pinks, and lady's de-
lights, and 10 our childish Imagination nothing
xeould be more beautiful than those flower beds,
or more delightful than the task of assisting To
weed and water, and keep them in such nice
order. Even the Haunting sun-fiowers, ranged
along the garden wall, came in Tor share of
cur admiration.
At the kitchen entrance, stood long benches,
on which we're ranged rows of bright tin pans,
ready for the use OF the ''neat handed Phllls,"
who managed the dairy. About the kitchen
walls, were festooned strings Of dried apples
| ay,I ca iln hnrn and fharp lnuu nTnok
necked sQuashes were suspended, their rich
golden rind forming an agreeable contrast with
the dalk beams and rafters of the apartment -
But the capacious "6re- place"-how can we
properly describe that centre of attraction in an
old fashioned farm house? The "chmney
corner" would almost lave contained one OF
cur modern apologies for kitchen, aud when
the winter evening fire was made, the immense
log properly placed, and a quantity of wood
which might last n citl zen for month, hea ped
up in front of it, how snugly were the JuVe-
niles Of the family ensconsed within it, as we
listened TO the hreside chat of our elders, and
waited for the nuts and apples which were sure
to make their appearance before our departure
for the night We see them noW-those kind
and pleasant faces, some of which have lsng
since settled into the stiffness of death, while
others are 80 changed by time and sorrow, that
hardly vestige of the former self remains -
The prudent wife and mother, busy with her
needle, "making aud clalthes look amaist as
wells the new" the husband and father con.
aing the weekly paper, ever and anon laying
aside his spectacles, TO Join in the household
chat, lille the Industrious and active, but real
ly pretty daughters, their daily task accom-
plished, were preparing some article OF iemi-
nine adjournment fol the coming Sabbath, or the
next quilting or seigh-ride.
Nor were we without our musician and our
music. In sheltered corner, seated in high
backed armchair, sat the beloved aud venerat-
ed grandmother, on whose placid countenance
not trace OF human passions was visible, and
before her stood an instrument OF music, which
even, yet, is sweeter to our rebelous ears thar
one Of Efard's finest harps. Its measured anc
monotonous cadence made an approp late ac
compartment to the conversation OF the domes
tic circle, of which the dear musician was the
very life aud soul, with her wise and cheeIiu
comments on passing events, and her varied re-
miniscences of the past. DO our youthful read
ers wish to know the name of the musical in
strument TO W ich we listened? Start not, gen
tie reader, it was not harpischord or lutte, bu
simple, unpretending, linen spinning wheel
Dear Granny" as the children all called he
had been in her day. famous spinner, an'
even now, her aged fingers piled their busy tasl
with dexterity that we could never sufficient
~ admire. How we loved to watch the mys
teIlous process by which the flax was pulled
from the distaff, caught by the flyers, ant
wound on the spindle, a smooth and ever
thread, WIN no little apparent exertion.
II seemed the easiest thing in the world t
manage mat lille Spinning wheel, and VI
were in danger OF Undertaking. the skill q
the performer, until repeated trials had con
WINGED US that ii was not thing to be Iearne
by intuition.
The SHOWS of a hundred winters had settle
on he head OF that ancient dame, vet still I'll
was stately and erect in person, courteous an
dignifed in manner, and in temper, buoyar