The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-04-16
THE JUNKET AT THE SOUIRE'S.

There was just three of us, Thank
full, Keturah and Jerusha. L was Jeru-
sha, and mother often said if there had
been but two she couldn't have got
along, for Thankful wove, Keturah
spun and [ helped her about the house
work and getting wool and flax ready
for their use; and if there had been
four of us one must have been idle, and
mother abhorred idleness.
Maybe you think you know what
spinning and weaving are, but you
would change your mind if you had
seen Thankfuls and Keturahs work.
Such webs Of toweling and tablecloths,
all of the handsomest patterns, flowers
and diamonds and stars, your snow
drops don't compare with them, and the
counterpins (Grandma meant counter
11anes) and blankets, and cloth for the
family wear-but dear me ! I can't tell
you half the things Thankful wove and
Keturah spun. I don't know but there
is as much work done now as there used
to be, but it's of different kind. Now
it is riding, walking, and fixing up for
callers, and going to the opera, balls
and concerts with the beaux. But
Abeaux were as plenty in those days as
tlow, yes and plentier, for then wives
We're help instead of expense; and
where now man cannot afford to mar
ry, then he could not afford to remain
single.
We used to call young men sparks.
I can't tell why, unless because they
made fame in the girls cheeks.
Jerusha was what would be called
now firt. She had lots of sparks and
q dreadful life she led them, encourag-
ing one moment and frowning the next.
She was full of fun but dignified when
occasion required. She liked Ephraim
Williams best of all, but she was very
careful not to let him know it.
But Thankful was different. She
was calm and gentle, and never cared
for any one but Jabez Arden, nor ap-
peared to.
They kept company for long time
and never had but one falling out that l
know of, and that was just before Squire
Doolittle's Junket.
remember well the day and all
about it, for it was my first party, as
girls say now, and was half crazy with
excitement, for Abel had promised to
take me and l was to wear white dress
just like my sisters. They had been
out bleaching and were just as white as
the snow. They were woven of linen
and shone like satin when they We're
ironed. 1 don't just remember what
there was to do besides, and as L can
remember everything else we'll enough
l think it must have been a deal as it is
now, more fuss than fixing and more
worry than work. At any rate mother
said we need not do our tasks that day,
and it was late for breakfast when
Jabez came in, but we were at the
table.
"How do you do9" said father,
"stinging cold amt it A.? Won't you set
up and take O bite %
"No, but I'm much Obliged" says
Jabez.
"Do set up" said mother, 81 hain't
got anything fit to eat, but maybe you
can make out if you try"
After a good deal OF urging Jabez
drew up and father heaped his plate,
and mother said as she passed the
rye cakes and biscuit, "They amt
nothing like SO good as your mothers,
Jabez."
"But Jabez said they were the best
he ever eat. What are you smiling at,
child ?" 1t was considered good man.
ners then to say you hadn't anything
fit to eat, and for the other company to
praise it, and Jabez was always very
polite to our house and mother thought
him "proper nice"
They talked about threshing and sled
ding and his mothers rheumatic, so il
was some time before he got q chance
to ask if we were going at the Junket
to Squire Doolittle's.
don't know what possessed me tc
do as did, but 1 said right off, "Yes,
we are all going. l am going with
Abel, and Keturah is going with Eph,
rain, if she don't change her mind, aAd
Silas Deane has asked Thankful.
So he had, but Thankful refused be-
cause she expected to go with Jabez
and l knew it as well as any one, only
liked mischief. -.
The girls looked mad and so die
Jabez when 1 mentioned Silas, because
Silas wanted Thankful and OF course
Jabez was jealous; and he took 1T tina
she had promised 10 go with Silas an6
SO never asked her himself.
Father scolded and Keturah said
ought to be made to stay at home Z
punish me, but Thankful never sai(
a word, only knew she felt badly
When l got chance so Keturah woul(