Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-30
For tho National Era
REc0LLECTI0ssOF MY GRANDFATHERsH HOME
CHAP. vII-Continued.

Ho for the country farmhouse, as it was
twenty years ago! They are not now what they
once were. Permeating railroads, and the conse-
quant facilities of intercourse with town, have
introduced into country villages town luxuries,
with town tastos--a greater degree of outward
refinement, more mannerisnn, Mt the sacrifice
of fresh, natural manifestations! The spin
ning- wheel and loom have disappeared; the
classic distaf has been slowed in the attic, with
namcless other honcly, domestic implements,
franght with curious interest and manifold as
sociations. There's a smack Of city shoppings
ia the adornings Of the west room.O Tho
quaint bits Of China on the mantel have made
room for far more commonplace plaster images;
the checked hOmespun window-curtains, for
frail muslin drapery; the funny little water
colored rose-bushes Of the itinerant, selfstyled
artist, for cheap engravings The yawning
fireplace, which was went in summer to be
decorated 60 gracefully with fragrant fir, parti-
colored mosses, and delicate asparagus, have
shut themselves up for the convenient ugliness
of well-polished stoves! The sand has been
swept from the carefully scrubbed floor, the
braided mats borne from the inner sanctuary,
for the labor saving, single-grain carpet Yes,
the innovation is complete There is smack
of Young America in every corner.
Even if perchanoe, age or association have
made precious some old relic, by dint of putty
ings, paintings varnishings and patchwork
ings, the seams, the tooth-marks OF time, the
worm-holes, the rude jointures, all disappear,
leaving little relative beauty or real interest!
There is some sense after all, in this regret
for the bygone fashions Of our grandfather's
parlor furnishings. There was to many of
them peculiar farmhouse appropriateness, q
combination of ncatness with utility consist ent
- Il III L. n II
"high-cased bureaus; ~
Tho chest contrived double debt to pay
A bed by night chest Of drawers by day
the tabletop surmountcd chair, with its under
pending knife-box--a more awkward, but still
commendable piece Of furniture I stared, and
wondered and guessed, at first sight Of the
quaint old thing, but still remember it with de-
hight; though, forsooth, | should pity the belle
whose first impression depended upon the effect
Of that chairs brick.red, halEmoon back.
ground
] love my grandfather numbering old house
hold furnishings; and, no for my Grandfather's
Home Of twenty years ago Alas! long before
] crossed its threshold the town enlighten-
ments Of country cousins had begun their work,
and TO me the dark old attic was by far the
pleasantest reception room. Nevertheless there
was then, and there still fingers throughout it
smack Of tho bygone which gave peculiar
rest 10 my summcrings. They lived at my
grandfather's jaJt "a three fourths Of the New
EngDand farmers lived twenty years ago.
How all my old-fAshioned experiences then,
crowd upon me'this moment; and seem to sit
once moro in the porch door, where used to
station myself every Monday, years ago. with
basin Of warm snds, which blew into
great heap Of bubbles, with Jonathan's pipe.
10 my extreme juvenility, washing days were
my peculiar horror-days OF imprisonment, al.
venture, accidents, and cross servants; but the
washing days Mt my grandfather's were alto
gcther different affairs Here, ncatness and
order made tolerable even the meanest drudg-
cry
Long btfrc the sun had thrown it's red
streaks across the floor OF the kitchen, my
step grandmother and Hannah would be en-
gagged in actual service before the two steam
ina-tubs, which my careful grandfather had
made ready for them 10 the long porch or en-
Try. Thess were the days Of ladies' work.
and the quondam washwoman sported bro
oAdes and sntins wns too young for actual
service, and, aside from tho replcnishinp of the
stock II chips, was only dissatisfied looker.cn.
How | ]ougcd to plunge my arms into the
fnAminRs sparkling rainbow tinted, sizzling,
suds; yst started back ut the sight Of Hannah's
blssohsd, parboiIed fingers When Jonathan
had carried tho tubs to tho we'll how heartily
enjoyed tho foaI submcrsion Of tho linen,
and admired il afterwards, Tapping, snow
whitc on the line
enjoyed these days. IL may have been q
vulgar tastc, but | enjoyed them in al thcir
detail; and every Sabbath evening nscd TO
commit Jonathans blackcned Pipe TO bed Of
glowing GOALS, = necessary preparation for
}os1hooming experiments.
Thero was door at either end Of the porch !;
one Looked cut upon tho green into which the
bie esto opsned from the lane; in which stood
shs ohoppiDg. block BY the wocd-pile; where
k6ne ~ great welI-swecp; and where stood,
~. ~ Qolnut trcc, Of past play hours, through
wkes6 to1isgs shimussred The village spire, half
= nils a~Sy ---aIi dsAr objects now, as then.
7ho 6ther OK opened upon tho west, and took
II : broad pfoacSot ~ hiII and dale, and for
~ Ind ~ 6>vny, o. tho horizon limo, IN .
snmo<oin opening the outskirts Of little
hasnlss made WHIT speck. Tho dssp valley