Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-07-20
A Wonderful Old Cradle.
BY J. A. WATROUS.


ner of my pocket book lies silver, half
the length of match, but not as large
and cOmely. 1t has been there several
years. Its history is well worth record
ing.
Three years last summer | accepted an
invitation from my friend Williams, who
then resided and still resides in the north
ern Wauk esha county, on the eastern
shore uf one of those charming little
lakes which has done so much to
make the country famous as summer
resort. 1t was a delightful spot. and Mr..
and Mrs. Williams. whom had known
for many years, are delightful people.
The promise that my stay would be a
pleasant one was all that any reasonable
mortal could expect.
After dinner my friend conducted me to
room away from the noise and confusion
incident to portion of every farmer
house, and introduced me to his mother,
called Grandma by the family, and
who was referred to by the family as
" Grandma Williams"
Only the day before my new found ven
erable friend entered upon the ninety
second yaF of her age. Her greeting
was genuine and cordial. Mr.. Williams,
Warren +. Williams-one OF the best
known farmers in the county-explained
that the character of his duties was such
that he could not remain with me that
afternoon, and that | would lose nothing
by his absence as Grandma was excel
lent company.
found her all and far more than had
been promised. She was well preserved,
k,,r ind nIa
memory unimpaired. She was also
most charming conversationalist. For an
hour we discussed the president, became
enthusiastic over the growth of the coun.
try, gossiped about old times and modern
statesmen, and talked about the railroads
Her description Of ride on the first rail-
road built ou American soil, the year 1t
was completed, which was in 1927, and
the comparisons she drew, were amusing
in the extreme. 1t WAS long, long
time ago." said my entertainer, but l
can see that odd-looking little engine and
those strange and wonderful cars just as
though it were yesterday. Why, that
little three mile road-they called it the
Granite-at Quincy, Mass, with all of
its cars, engine and other property, did
not cost as much rs the engine you just
heard whistle at Harlland What pro
gresS Is been made in these fifty years.
1t is beyond my comprehension. They
tell me we now have in America, over
II, 900 miles of railroad, built at an ex-
pense of billions of dollars. Little we
Thought, hfly years ago; ''i.L such results
would follow the teeole enort n'i'e At
Quincy.
ha ;ot old l.Hu
While 'he mle''igent o'u .a'y WIS WA
rejecting upon some OF her teHtsT'nihh-
ing oil some OF tne chahges-l "n'heu W W
the window ana looKod out upon tne sen'
OF a lake. upon my return so nap
paned that | changed my seat from Tue
right TO the l'it Siue OF my Veneraole an"
already hlghiy 'eSoeemeu 'r'ehu' AS "'o
SO, my attention was attracted 10 Il piece
vi iuln''u'e "o' t'0''puS nIa s,Ssn;onad i ,oaon
~ WIS a." o"'i Wv, hi,,,t, ,,;,h ,r,o
Gra"'e' lhorG '.,''' 1'o""m ,r,om Nv WV haHrJ "i
ueep as o',,i.tuo' , III "" j., vi tha n,ns,
rockers ana takeh M III 'n' o5 ,i1 inua. 1--WE.
unS ''u1I 1S, P.ooo y, n' nh;IJ.on ;r tbo
l"" - h h,I hno, n,,na fo. n,onu
no"se' Wnn W. ana. n :. % Crardman Ieen thai
bomelv old cradle in her roomp
Lacking up, she caught me eyeing the
relic. and in the sweetest possible manner
said. g Thev all look at the old cradle
inst as Won are looking Mt it, Would you
like to know its historyp'
ao,;ro., "a Ln,y snm.,hino ,hont II
uoo''ou ~ "'"" ,;'';,a o'l,,ro ,,a to ,aII
pu. "." .h.. NV ,nI and vnrv hriaf s,ory
nbant nbt ,t'A - wonlJ @ answer every purpo.e
r ao'uC ~ "ouiu u '.,o "nsmo -, har rpon, po
ne '''. 'n'' wv o'''"o 20 ohiIa,ar -
~ io' sue o"pJ' ~ ,aai aho n,,n;fo.ta,
.lio l'ou1I' ,;., gu" ~ I,,d n,a ~ fo.r ,hat tbe
wlel tc'l.ns VI '' 't;al,r 10. ,nI hohhn pan
o,u rpilc was NC, Paa ',Uu ,n'' aaant;'i n hi,
PIE VINO nays nopoio' ".o % L;~a,,, - " ,hon' en
world opC no ;.t n2v .ant nany ysoIr o .u
nhooe.,' io'',' 'o,.'n 80 s"s ~, ~ "a aoa,,
e. s.oli .,o .uon, .;ao fau hobbias IN death
10" pooP'0 ''uo l -..-.:,.
That may account loF my PoU, "Ppos.,
Ior hono'es anu ''io'l '' , D'vI ..'
could make up my mlhu 10 iea'o tn'
room. the history OF the olu crau'e com
menced to unfold ana nave always oeel
glad that 1t ana, ior my Vehera''e cou
panlon was most entertaining anu gave
history that Is well worth Preser''hs'
The animation shown by. the old ladl
had greatly surprise! me from the first
NV surprise was increased when he
sketch of the old cradle began. Her eye
sparkled; her wrinkled cheeks were no
as crimson as the romping school girl
but they were rosy. Alter relating tha
the old cradle was made from board'
hewed from an apple tree which for man.
years grew on the ground where nov
stands the paatial residence OF Marshal
Jewell of Hartford, Connecticut, and tina
the tree was killed by lightning stroke
she kept me in anxious suspense by tixin'
her eyes on the relic and keeping then
there for at least ten minutes. Whe
they were raised, two tears fell from them
marking each withered cheek. and ther
WAS more than slight tremor in he
voice as she spoke.
1t is Il long, long story, condense 1t a
: may, and perhaps it is best that do no
attempt to relate it,"
had already heard enough to oecom
deeply interested. and instead OF feelin
like flying from what feared might b
another hobby riding exhibition, l earn
estly begged her to proceed, and not
think of condensing on my account
, IIara 10 tho ctoru.