The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-03-16
Ofi-E Fashioned Can.forts.

The following graphic picture of some
of the old fashioned comforts of New Eng
land farmers, is given by the Exeter NeCS
Letter, and its truthfulnesS will he recog-
nized by thousands Of New England
hearts
Our ancestors were frugal, self DENYING
people, Injured to hardship from the cradle :;
they were content to be without almost all
the luxuIies of life, but they enjoyed some
of its comforts to which many of US are
strangers, old fashioned comforts we may
term them,-and among these the old
fire place, as it used to be termed, held no
mean rank. How wildly the picture of
ole of those spacious kitchens Of the old
en- time comes to cur mind with its plain
furniture and sanded floor, innocent OF
paint, but as white as the neatest of
housewives could makeit. In one corner
stood tie old clock, its very face wearing
an aspect Of good cheer, and seeming to
smile benignanty upon a miniature moon
over It's head, which tradition said, had at
remote period followed the rising and
setting of its great prototype in the heav-
ems, though lis days Of active service we e
long ago over.
But the crowning glory of that kitchen
was not its white sanded floor, not the
high desk with It's pigeon holes and secret
drawers, which no adventurous youngster
ever dared invade, nor yet the old clock
ticking so musjcally in one corner. but it
was the oil fashioned fire place with its
blazing enhers, huge back legs and iron
fire dogs, that shed glory over the who g
room, giIded the plain and homely furni-
tire with It's bright light and rendered the
place tit type Of New EngIan homes lin
We olden tjue"
Never wee there such apples as those
which swung round and round upon
strings before the bright fire Of winter 6
evening,-uever such baked potatoes as
those buried deep in the ashes upon the
hearth ,-neyer such cornstalks as those
which caught a golden hue from the bls
zing emLe.s, Or turkeys ike those turned
slowly Ipon q spit. filing the room with
sayory oLvrs SO suggestive Of a dainty re-
past.
Before the fire was the wooden settee,
aud here the children were wont to sit III
the long evenings, telling stories. cracking
nuts, coming their lessons for the NOR
row, or lis enng il silence to the words
of wisdom that fell from the lips Of their
sapsrlors and anon gazing in silence iu-
to the bright fire and conjuring up all
scots Of groesque aud tsnciful images
tscm among the burning Goals. No fa6sd
geuu With their mage lamps Of enchaDt-
ment could build such gorgeous palaces,
or create such gems as the child could
discern mid the blazing embers of the old
fashioned fire place.
And We must not neglect the chimne,
corner, where sat our grandfather in his
accustomed sest-his hair silvereI With
he SHOWS Of many winte!s-a venerable
man to whom age had come i" frosily but
kindly" aud whose last days were ike
those Of an Indisn summer, ssrene and
beautif.! even Ill the stars appeared in
the heavens.
How pure vas the air Of the room in
those days! The huge fire place, with
It's brisk drsyght. carried off the impuri
ties of the atmosphere a and left the air
pure, life giving and hea!thtul. Now We
crouch around hot cooking stoves and
think it strange that we feel 50 drowsy and
stupid Of an evening, or we huddie about
alright stoves and wonder that the air
seems burnt and impure; or We sit down
in chilly rooms heated by furnace, and
marvel that with sll our costly furniture,
soft carpets, bright mirrors and dsmask
curtains, they are such cheerle.s places, SO
little ike our ideas Of New England
| home.
Alas that with all the so-calIed i'm
prorements of our advanced civilization,
the fire should be permitted 60 out forev-
er in our old fashioned fire places, thus
burying in the ashes of the past so many
means Of health, home comfort, good
cheer and happiness.