The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-12-24
THE JUNKET AT SQUIRE DOC.
LITTLE'S.

THE JUNKET AT SQUIRE DOC.
LITTLE'S.
was making my yearly visit at grand
mothers when l was attacked by my old
foe, neuralgia. Grandmother dosed and
petted me to her hearts content, until
under her efficient ministration l was
soon almost free, from pain. but not yet
able to leave my room, where l spent
most of my time under the capacious
folds of patchwork quilt.
Grandmother had but few books, and
those not particularly interesting to my
romance-loving nature, and 1 was some
times rather lonesome. Grandmother
stories of old times, however, did much
to relieve the tediousness of GONZALES
cence.
She was a bright, happy, old lady, a
triae sarcastic, but dearly loved to hear
her quaint criticisms, because, although
her words were sharp enough sometimes,
there was always glcam of humOr i'm
her eye that somehow pointed them
most pleasantly. 1t was as though she
felt that she must rebuke wrong and
folly for sake of principle and her own
pure, soul, but that way down in her
heart, its native kindliness was always
making excuses, and her lively fancy
calling up humorous illustrations.
The patchwork quilt having been the
companion and comfort Of my sickness,
/ could fancy it actually interested in my
welfare; for when my pain had been
most acute, the different pieces of calico
seemed to wear expressions of coincidence
and pity. All but one piece, malicious
sort of red with yellow spots; that ac-
tually seemed to grin with delight, and
when the freight shone upon it, it
seemed to be dancing and performing all
sorts of impish capers, until my nerves
having been much weakened, | was
obliged to put my handkerchief over it.
Grandmother came in just as l was
doing it, and asked the reason. When /
told her she said: "Well, now, that is
strange. That square was piece of ST.
lena Baxter's gown, the greatest mischief
maker / ever knew. She was always
making fuss. She would invariably
begin by saying, Il hate to believe it
dreadfully, but they really say it's so;'
and then she would tell some disgraceful
story, and look so terribly shocked, and
but no matter. Poor Silena has been
dead this forty years, but there's good
many Silena's nowadays"
"Oh, grandmother, can't you tell me
some stories about these pieces of calico? {?
l am sure they would be immensely in
teresting."
"Why, Yes, 1 suppose so. They nearly
all have a history" said grandmother.
"Tell me about this ugly piece of yell
low with the faring pattern"
"There is nothing in particular to tell
about that, only it cost hundred dol
lars"
Chow could that be % / exclaimed.
/ am sure it would not cost more than
ten cents yard now."
But this was bought over hundred
years ago, my dear, with Continental
money, which was but little better than
80 much paper. Father bought it before
1 was born. / have often heard mother
tell how pleased she was with it. In
those days they used to 60 to Portland
twice a year with the produce of the
farm, and get in exchange groceries and
other necessary articles for the family.
1t was great undertaking, for it was
nearly all the way through the woods
for hundred and fifty miles and the In
dians were troublesome. The minister
used to put up prayers for their safety
and welfare. Dear me, don't think he
ever thought the time would come when
one could 60 the same distance in half a
day, and by the same agency that cooked
his dinner" and grandmother forgot her
theme to muse upon the changes that
had transpired since she was girl.
"Grandma." / said. after waiting pa
tiently for some time, "what of this
pretty square of light printY
"That is more MODERN" she replied.
"It's a piece of dress worn by cousin
Mary Moreland's first baby"
"Why. grandma" gasped. ait can't
be that Senator Moreland ever wore a
dress like other babies"
"Why not?" asked she, smiling.
ooh, don't know" replied, "but
IL seems as though he must always have
worn tall hat and broadcloth; should
never have thought Of him as baby, he
is 10 dreadfully dignifed."
After this, with the memory of the
Senator's baby dress, should not stand
80 much in awe Of our dignified relative.
"But this piece of broadcloth," said,
pointing to large square of rich silk in
the center, ais the only one of its kind,
and / have long intended to ask you
about it. know it has history"
"Ycs, indeed, il was sister Thankful's
wedding gown. / remember IL as though
it were yesterday; how beautiful she
looked in it. 1t was just three weeks,
counting from the Junket at Squire Doc
Titles"
"What was Junket? supposed il
TO be kind of ancient feast-a stolen
feast"
"Well, perhaps no, If You go by Web.
ster. But In our day IL meant dancing
party, and was usually held in kitchen
IL might not be 40 far wrong, though,
about the feast, for there was famous
cooking in those days, and Junkets were
held in good reputation then"
"Hcase tell me all about il about
Thankful and the Junket, and every.
thing" said /, eagerly.
"Very WE'LL" said she, smiling, "but
wait a few moments until collect the
"a "A few moment. Of thought and .h,
commenced:
There were Just three Of us, Thankful
Keturah, and Jerusha. 1 was Jerusha
and mother often said IL there had beer