Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-20
DaiIu Kennebee 3nurnaI.
Good Old Days"
As RECALLED BY ONE OF Our GRAND
MOTHERS.

Modern housekeepers in the middle
classes are often overawed when they COM
pare the result OF their labor with that Of
the "grandmothers. The tired, over
worked matron wonders why she looks so
faded feels weak and i'll when she has two
servants, small family and everything so
handy The husband, too. looks at her
critically, says aloud. Louise. you have
gone off dreadfully in your looks the past
few years. And he thinks, Il provide
everything, servants and abundant house.
hold goods, vet Louise seems never to
have leisure or to cease fretting." If she
complains of multiplicity of cares he
consoles her by accounts OF the industry
displayed by the grandmother. who dyed,
spun, wove, cut and made. also washed,
ironed and mended the household gar
ments. The women OF olden time had
no sewing or knitting machines, or cook
ing stoves, yet they accomplished some
thing They were fine women, my dear,
not always complaining of ills and aches,
or dying from hysteria or nervous at
tacks" A few days since one of these
grandmothers dined with me, eighty-two,
with cute pink blush yet lingering upon
the aged cheek. and as bright as new
button. For several weeks | had been
keeping house Systematically. but that
very dav the system was minus, cook was
i'll, the house girl gone. and | sat down to
dinner with an aching head.
Il know all about it, dearie, many's the
time I've been so illustrated in my house.
keeping days that scarcely knew which
side to move" said my guest consollngly.
You, grandma? Do tell me about it.,
was Just thinking you must consider me
shiftless and goodfor-nothing."
Not bit of it. | suppose someone
has been telling you of the industry of the
grandmothers." and she laughed cheerily.
AZ m going to wash the silver and china
for you, while you rest bit. First, mod
ern housekeepers work and worry more
than we did. | have mothered tour girls
and six boys; everyone of them grew up
to man and womanhood strong and
healthy. The girls. Prudence, Patience.
Penlope. Paulina, dressed in homespun
linen and cotton in the summer, in the
winter linsey and flannel. True, we wove
them, but dresses were made short and
scant with PLAN waist, lasted long
time and were nice and plenty to wear to
quiltin's, huskin's, apple parin's an wool
pickin's. Father made 'em good stout
shoes, they priced 'em too, when they
went to meetin' they kerried 'em until
they got within sight of the meetin' house
before they put 'em on. A fine bonnet OF
drawn silk with a rose on it
was good for six years wear, and
the girls often changed flowers.
Patience liked laylocks, Prudence white
roses, and Penlope pink one. The boys
were as good as anybody in blue or
butternut suit of jeans or tow linen. with
hickory shirts and black silk handker-
chief around their neck they could 90 any
where. Our house, two roomed log
one, DIDN'T require much extra work, only
whitewashin' outside and in twice year
and scrubbin' every week. The furniture
was very plain, didn't need much swathin'
in cretonne, though twas work to keep
snow white the Testers and bed valances
We didn't have sealskin sacques. satin
dresses or fine laces to take care of or to
worry over We baked corn pone, salt
rising and biscuits in skillet and led by
the fireplace, boiled vegetables and I've
hominy in a big pot swung from crane
They were not hard to prepare, and we
always kept jar full OF sugar and gin.
ger cookies, with bins of apples in the
cellar and a cheese in the buttery. Oh
no. we old housekeepers didn't have yards
and yards of rufiling, sherring or bias
tucking to do, there wasn't so much re
quired of us. 1t takes work to KEEP
neat and clean bedroom sets of walnut
French gilt, Scotch granite, Italian marble
and bronze; an moths an dust do love to
settle in plush, velvet and rich brocade in
dark. close parlors. Hot water, cold water
to your hand. sewing machines and the
| thousand and one kitchen handy utensils are
nice but it requires care to look after them.
/ Only this morning was aggravated over
an egg poacher. spent at least ten min
utes trying to clean it proper ly; says | to
daughter, 'Celestv, this is one of the i'm
provements that isn't an Improvement
81 must tell you OF the sheep sorrel pies
| thought quite good. | bruised little
sheep sorrel. washed it, lined IA shell with
it. sprinkled sugar, butter and flour added
a little water, covered with top crust
and baked quickly, A maple syrup pie
was better. made from a cup of cream
and one-half cup of maple syrup, with a
beaten egg. That is sample of old fash
toned pastry. Now don't be discouraged
and think you fail in your duty, its the
multiplicity of cares that render the lot of
a thorough. modern housekeeper not an
easy one. Good management and sys-
tenn does help amazingly. but there are
squally' times that are very trying. Only
a wise captain can sail smoothly through
them. Don't let the lines of care spoil
your face too soon. Thou shalt not worry
ought to be command But I've lee
tured long enough. and these dishes are
ready tor the china closet. GOOD House
L.,